Post by Okwes on Jun 6, 2007 16:54:51 GMT -5
Indian panel takes on AG’s office
Native American designation at issue
MONTPELIER – Despite Vermont Assistant Attorney General William Griffin’s assertion that they have little or no authority in designating Native American status to tribes and Indian bands, members of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (VCNAA) are moving forward with plans to do so anyway. That announcement was made today by the commission, which was formed following approval of limited state recognition by the Vermont Legislature last spring.
Mark Mitchell, VCNAA chairman, in a press statement issued this morning, said passage of Vermont Bill S117, which Gov. Jim Douglas signed into law in May 2006, not only created his organization, but gave it important rights as well. Among the others is the right to assist “Native American arts and crafts … legally labeling them as Indian or Native American.”
However, Griffin, representing the Attorney General’s Office at a Jan. 25 commission meeting, disagreed with the panel’s conclusions on its right to on its own confer Native American status to Vermonters.
“The Abenaki worked very hard for recognition by the state of Vermont,” Mitchell said. “In past statements, the Attorney General’s office has denied the continuous existence of my people and Mr. Griffin’s current opinion persists to undermine that recognition.”
Mitchell added that the question of “who is and who is not a Native American” should be answered by members of the VCNAA.
“I realize this may not be the most important issue facing our state legislature today, but it is important to my people,” he said. “The attorney general’s office has previously denied the Abenaki their existence. I am not comfortable leaving the decision ‘who is and who is not a Native American’ to an office with such a flagrant conflict of interest. The VCNAA must advocate for the native people.”
Mitchell said the issue will be addressed at the next meeting of the VCNAA, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday in the National Life Building, in Montpelier.
The Abenaki have for decades sought to achieve full recognition with all of the rights that go with it. The state recognition last year was tailored to provide the tribe with the right to sell its crafts and wares as being created by Native Americans.
The measure, however, limited tribal rights. For instance it would not support any Abenaki move to develop a gaming operation or casino in the state. Local Abenaki have not advocated construction or operation of a casino, however.
It is anticipated that the federal government will issue a final decision on Abenaki recognition sometime this year. Last year the Bureau of Indian Affairs recommended the denial of the Abenaki petition, saying the tribe did not meet all of the seven necessary criteria.
According to the report, the Abenaki, in part, did not show that the tribe has existed continuously since 1900; descended from a historical Indian tribe; and had been part of a continuous community.
The Abenaki, however, promised to provide additional information and continues to press for federal recognition.
Native American designation at issue
MONTPELIER – Despite Vermont Assistant Attorney General William Griffin’s assertion that they have little or no authority in designating Native American status to tribes and Indian bands, members of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (VCNAA) are moving forward with plans to do so anyway. That announcement was made today by the commission, which was formed following approval of limited state recognition by the Vermont Legislature last spring.
Mark Mitchell, VCNAA chairman, in a press statement issued this morning, said passage of Vermont Bill S117, which Gov. Jim Douglas signed into law in May 2006, not only created his organization, but gave it important rights as well. Among the others is the right to assist “Native American arts and crafts … legally labeling them as Indian or Native American.”
However, Griffin, representing the Attorney General’s Office at a Jan. 25 commission meeting, disagreed with the panel’s conclusions on its right to on its own confer Native American status to Vermonters.
“The Abenaki worked very hard for recognition by the state of Vermont,” Mitchell said. “In past statements, the Attorney General’s office has denied the continuous existence of my people and Mr. Griffin’s current opinion persists to undermine that recognition.”
Mitchell added that the question of “who is and who is not a Native American” should be answered by members of the VCNAA.
“I realize this may not be the most important issue facing our state legislature today, but it is important to my people,” he said. “The attorney general’s office has previously denied the Abenaki their existence. I am not comfortable leaving the decision ‘who is and who is not a Native American’ to an office with such a flagrant conflict of interest. The VCNAA must advocate for the native people.”
Mitchell said the issue will be addressed at the next meeting of the VCNAA, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday in the National Life Building, in Montpelier.
The Abenaki have for decades sought to achieve full recognition with all of the rights that go with it. The state recognition last year was tailored to provide the tribe with the right to sell its crafts and wares as being created by Native Americans.
The measure, however, limited tribal rights. For instance it would not support any Abenaki move to develop a gaming operation or casino in the state. Local Abenaki have not advocated construction or operation of a casino, however.
It is anticipated that the federal government will issue a final decision on Abenaki recognition sometime this year. Last year the Bureau of Indian Affairs recommended the denial of the Abenaki petition, saying the tribe did not meet all of the seven necessary criteria.
According to the report, the Abenaki, in part, did not show that the tribe has existed continuously since 1900; descended from a historical Indian tribe; and had been part of a continuous community.
The Abenaki, however, promised to provide additional information and continues to press for federal recognition.