Document 01: June 30, 1976. Indian Tribe Seeking To Wander Freely. "Homer St. Francis said, "that if the Indians' efforts fail with the state officials to gain unlicensed unrestricted hunting and fishing, then we'll go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or to Washington. We're not going to start a war or bomb somebody, like the others do."
Document 02: July 07, 1976 Page 13. Outsight Insight/The opening shot. By John Randolph. "The Abenakis now claim that their native right to hunt and fish in Vermont should allow them unlimited access to fish and game now protected and managed under the white man's law's. Theoretically this right to hunt and fish is based on 'natural law,' a concept which enjoyed great currency during the colonial period, but which has survived better in literature than in law. Like other Indians, the Abenakis were a people who relied on oral history; they were illiterate in even the basic chore of keeping birth records. In this light the question historians, demographers, and lawmakers will have to answer is: Who is an Abenaki?"
"We know of no treaties between the Indians of Vermont and the early white settlers. But this is a matter for historians."
Document 03: July 16, 1976 Page 03 Bennington Banner Newspaper. Governor Thomas Salmon names researcher of Abenakis. "Gov. Thomas Salmon has announced Ms. Jane Baker, a specialist in Indian affairs, will research the Abenaki Indians' claims against the state. The alleged Abenaki Indians recently presented petitions to Fish and Game Commissioner Edward Kehoe, claiming they are entitled to unlimited fishing and hunting rights. Ms. Baker will file a report by mid-October which will be turned over to the A-G's Office for legal analysis. The attorney general's report will be submitted to the 1977 session of the Vermont General Assembly. The A-G's Office had told the governor it was strapped by a lack of funds and needed some extra help for the study. Salmon's office said Wednesday Ms. Baker, an anthropologist from Berlin, will be paid with funds from the governor's office."
On August 20, 1976, a Friday, the Abenakis of Odanak and Becancour (Wolinak) a Band Council Resolution was signed by the then Chief of Odanaki, Walter Watso; Jean Marie Sadaques, Lewis (?) O'bomsawin, Jacques Gill, and ?; From Becancour Band Council the signers were Noel St. Aubin, ? Bernar, Mme Maryanne Bernard ?. This document was recieved on this date August 27, 1976 by Homer St. Francis. Then at the bottom of the document it states, " SWANTON, VERMONT, FRANKLIN COUNTY: At Swanton this 30th day of August, 1976, HOMER ST. FRANCIS personally appeared and acknowledged this instrument by him sealed and subsscribed to be his free act and deed, Before me, (can't discern the signature). SEE Appendix B. of "The Original Vermonters; Native Inhabitants Past and Present" by William A. Haviland and Marjory W. Power (I'll post this specific document later in this blog).
