MISSISQUOI BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION
[Rudolph Kent Ouimette's address]
15 JEWETT STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
PHONE: 802-868-4222
Noel St. Aubin, Chief
Mme. Oscar Bernard, Councillor
Mme. Monique Bernard, Councillor
Abenakis of Becancour Band Council
Indian Reserve
Becancour, Quebec
Dear Chief and Councillors,
We wish to bring to your attention some of the problems we are having concerning recognition which are being caused by Chief Walter Watso "Chief of the Abenakis at the Odanak and Becancour Reserves in Canada and Grand Chief of the Abenaki Nation."
When Mr. and Mrs. Ouimette visited Becancour in August Chief St. Aubin discussed your concerns about Chief Watso's activities and the resolution he proposed which would have made him Grand Chief. This is a title which the St. Francis/Sokoki Band agreed to. Walter told everyone that Becancour had also agreed to the title.
Mr. Ouimette also informed Chief St. Aubin of the occasions when Walter had insisted that he must see to it that Homer St. Francis was re-elected in September, and that Becancour would no longer support the Abenaki in Vermont if Homer did not win.
The concept of appointing a Grand Chief was sold to the Council by Walter as a means of unifying the Abenaki Nation to a common cause. It now appears that Walter is using this position to influence the government and Indian Associations to recognize only those Abenakis whom he endorses, specifically Homer St. Francis and his followers who recognize him as Grand Chief.
An election was duly conducted by the Tribal Administrator and supervised by the elections committee on 9/11/77 according to the Tribal Constitution. The results of this election were forwarded to Becancour, with the certification of the elections committee. When Homer lost, he called Walter. What they talked about is unknown to us, but the next day Homer called his family and friends, disrupted the Council meeting, and declared that the election was fixed and there would be a new election. They refused any one a hearing and refused to allow the Vermont Commission for Indian Affairs or any other person or group to investigate his claims.
Since the only alternative to Homer's new election would have
a physical confrontation, many members felt the publicity would be harmful to the cause, and with size and strength against us we would probably lose anyhow. Consequently we affiliated ourselves together as a seperate band of Abenaki people. Since there are no band funds that are set-aside for members and no land-base the only effect of the seperation is that it gives Abenaki people in Vermont a choice of government without forced sub-ordination to power hungry men. In the Missisquoi Band, we can choose our own leaders without fear of reprisal or intimidation.
Homer held his new election, and ran unopposed. Walter and Ray Watso, and Jacques Gill came from Odanak as observers. Homer told everyone that Walter had said the C.I.Q. would pull back their support if he wasn't elected, and Walter's presence and lack of denial supported the statement.
In any event, we have affiliated ourselves together as a sovereign band of Abenaki people. Our membership consists primarily of former members of the St. Francis/Sokoki Band and we have elected a Chief and councillors.
Our concern now, is that the support we enjoyed from the Abenaki people in Quebec is being denied by Chief Watso. After supporting and endorsing Homer St. Francis' actions and his overthrow of the duly elected Council he is now declaring, on your behalf, that all Abenakis in Canada support only Homer St. Francis and his followers.
We do not condone intimidation in our internal affairs and we will not accept Homer St. Francis as our Chief. We are convinced that because of the support and misinformation publicized by Walter Watso about Homer St. Francis and the threats of withdrawal of support by the C.I.Q. and Becancour Abenakis that the people have been confused about their right to elect another Chief. We are concerned about the interference by Chief Watso in our internal affairs, his attempts to influence our electoral process, and his continued discriminatory support of Homer St. Francis and his band rather than all Abenakis in Vermont. We like you, cannot recognize him as Grand Chief and his most recent activities have convinced us that thost who do not recognize him as their leader will not be recognized by him. This is a power he has as your spokesmen. The evidence of how he is using that power to gain prestige and to influence the public and the government is evident in the enclosed copies of recent newspaper clippings and the letter he personally presented to the Vermont Commission for Indian Affairs on Oct. 19th.
When Mr. Ouimette visited Becancour, he was assured by Chief St. Aubin that your council supported the Abenaki people of Vermont, not Homer St. Francis. If it is true that you do not condone the actions of Walter Watso, or the statements he is
making on your behalf, we would appreciate a formal statement that:
1. That Walter Watso is not the Chief of Becancour
2. That Walter Watso is not Grand Chief of all Abenakis
3. That you support the efforts of all Abenaki people, not just Homer St. Francis and his followers in their efforts to regain their aboriginal and their hunting and fishing rights.
Our Band Council will be meeting with the Vermont Commission for Indian Affairs on November 2, at 4:00 p.m. We would be pleased and honored if you or your representative could attend. Many Abenaki people in Vermont will fail to acquire recognition or regain their aboriginal rights as long as the Band Chief of Odanak continues to masquerade as your Chief and ours.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Bill Seymour, Chief (signed his name)
Marilyn Darby, Councillor (no signature)
Jean Ouimette, Councillor (no signature)
Kent Ouimette, Councillor (no signature)
[As follows, is further convincing documentary evidence...at least to me anyway...of further manipulation, deceitfulness and dishonesty on the part of a person or people to masquerade as Cowasuck Abenaki people/descendants and or as "Cowasuck" "Koasek" "Abenaki" "Chiefs"...]
Renewal Change of Addess and of Officers
State of Vermont
Office of Secretary of State
(correct name of corporation) NORTHEAST INTER-TRIBAL ASSOCIATION OF ABENAKI, IROQUOIS ALGONQUIN incorporated under the laws of Title 11, Chapter 19 of VSA as amended
1. Name of registered agent: HOWARD F. KNIGHT JR.
A registered agent is the person or corporation within Vermont who is authorized to receive various kinds of legal notices, including service of process, for your corporation. A VERMONT corporation CANNOT be its own registered agent.
2. Correct address of its registered office: RFD #1, Box 15 Thetford ctr, Vt 05075
3. Purpose of the corporation SEE ENCLOSED ARTICLES OF ASSOCATION OF THE NORTHEAST INTER-TRIBAL ASSOCIATION OF ABENAKI IROQUOIS AKA THE SPIRIT BEAR MEDICINE SOCIETY
4. Names and addresses of directors and officers:
Name: Emerson B. Garfield
Title: High Tribal Chief
Address: W. Lebanon, N.H.
Name: Kevin J. Fletcher
Title: Tribal Medicine Man
Address: Lebanon, N.H.
Name: Howard F. Knight Jr.
Title: Coordinator
Address: RFD1, Box 15 in Thetford Center, Vermont
Name: Richard W. Phillips
Title: #2 Tribal Chief
Address: c/o General Delivery in Swanton, Vermont
[NOTICE: the yellow-colored "Stick-Em Note" from Paul Rene Tamburro, stating "The ALLEGED AND REINVENTED origin of Cowasuck was by ALLEGED AND REINVENTED Abenaki descendants, like Richard Wilfred "Blackhorse" Phillips who had relationship to the Swanton-based "Roberston" Land Lease. Howard Franklin Knight Jr. was an early ALLEGED AND REINVENTED Chief among these - I don't know his ancestry, but ALLEGED AND REINVENTED Abenaki.] Paul Rene Tamburro wrote what he assumed (speculated) to be "truths" about these people, based on what they had told him, without ANY foundation to what they were SAYING, whatsoever. Such is this case, wherein Paul Tamburro ASSUMED that these people, such as Richard Phillips, Howard Knight Jr. and Paul W. Pouliot were legitimate, clear and convincingly "Cowasuck" "Abenaki" descendants ... and that Richard W. Phillips supposedly had connection(s) to the Robertson Land Lease of May 28, 1765.
If this is any indication of Paul Rene Tamburro's "scholarly" work and conclusions, like Frederick Matthew Wiseman, then it is to my thinking, that even an allegedly "educated" man, can still be a very naive, uninformed stupid person, and yet still have a PhD.
[Again, one can clearly observe that this particular document page, in sections is crossed out with a pen, and additional handwritten "editing" has happened by Howard Franklin Knight, Jr.]
We, the undersigned, do hereby volutarily associate ourselves together as a non-profit Indian Inter-Tribal Association under the provisions of Title 22, Chapter 292, of the New Hampshire Statutes Annotated, as amended, and have hereby adopted the following Articles of Association, viz:
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this incorporated Tribal Associaton shall be hereafter known as the Spirit Bear Medicine Society N.E.W.C. Tribe, of the ABENAKI Republic IROQUOIS, Western Abenaki Confederation, The Algonquin.
ARTICLE II - DEFINITION
This incorporated Tribal Association shall have perpetual duration and perpetual succession in it's corporate Tribal name, and/or its successor.
ARTICLE III - DEFINITION
For the purpose of this corporation, "Indian Tribe or Band" shall mean a distinct organized community of Indians which"
a) has as members, principlally persons of common ethnological origins, and
b) exercises political authority over it's members through some process of delegating authority for the management of it's property and affairs, and
c)has a specific area which the group presently inhabits, or has inhabited historically, and
d) is indigenous to the North American continent, and
e) is or is a division of or a successor in interest toa group of Indian people who have or have had a special relationship with the United States or a State through treaty, agreement, or some other form of recognition. Such group may be a successor in interest or a division of such a group of people through some process of social or politicial evolution.
[Here is the same document, but with the "Stick-Em" Note from Paul Tamburro, that reads "Shows 4 chiefs back in the early 1980's - see last pages - Things were crazy in the 1980's that is why Paul Wilson Pouliot - a new Indian with no history - seemed a savior!
[On this particular document page, all that is changed is corporation to Tribe through the text. Yet, under ARTICLE V New England is edited with added handwritten writing which reads, "Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Foundland, S.E. - NY, N.J. and Delaware, and E. RI.]
PAGE 2 ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE IV - PURPOSES
The purpose for which this corporation Tribe is formed is not for profit, but to provide for the amalgamation and confederation of the various Indian Tribes and Bands in the Northeast:
And to establish a corporation Tribe to serve the needs of the members of the North American Indian Tribes and Bands in the Northeast:
And to expand opprotunities for people of Indian descent, living in the Northeast and elsewhere, to form social and cultural associations with other people of Indian descent;
And to develop and implement comprehensive plans, proposals, programs, and studies designed to improve the socio-economic status, the education level, and the living conditions of the Indian people in their Northeast;
And to acquire money, securities, and other real and personal property from any source whatever, and to hold the same, invest or reinvest or pay out the same or income therefrom to the administration and operation of programs and projects designed to deliver education, health, social, economic, rehabilitative, cultural, housing, manpower development or other human services to the members of Indians bands or Tribes in the Northeast;
And to do any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful, or desirable for the furtherance, accomplishment, foster, or attainment of the foregoing purposes, either directly or indirectly, and either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, whether such others be persons or organizations of any kind or nature, i.e. Indian Tribes, or Bands, organizations, corporations, firms, associations, trusts, institutions, foundations, or governmental bureaus, or agencies.
ARTICLE V - SERVICE AREA, MEMBERSHIP, ELIGIBILITY
A. SERVICE AREA: This corporation is formed to provide services to Indian people throughout New England (handwritten "Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Foundland, S.E.-NY, N.J., Delaware, E. RI.
B. MEMBERSHIP: All Indian Tribes or Bands described in Art. III herein which are organized within the service area established by the corporation shall be eligible for membership in the corporation upon completion of the application process provided that such Indian Tribe or Band shall meet such additional requirements or criteria as are contained in the By-Laws of this corporation Tribe.
PAGE 3 ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
C. ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE (ART. V continued)
The service of this corporation Tribe shall be available to all Indian Tribes or Bands in the Northeast, and all Urban Indian Centers, Indian service delivery corporations, and all Indian people within the service area of this corporation Tribe.
ARTICLE VI - DIRECTORS
Each Indian Tribe or Band which is a member of this Corporation Confederation/Republic shall be represented by a person chosen by the governing body of such Indian Tribe or Band, on the Board of Directors of this Corporation. The voting rights of the Directors, their powers and authorities, and their duties and responsibilities shall be stated in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII - POWERS AND LIMITATIONS
This corporation is empowered to engage in all activities allowable under the provisions of Title 22 Chapter 292 B of the New Hampshire Statutes Annotated, as amended, which serve to further the purposes set forth in Article IV herein.
All of the activities of this corporation shall be exercised exclusively for charitable or educational purposes in such a manner that this Indian Tribal Association shall qualify as an exempt organization from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as it is currently or may hereafter in force and effect.
ARTICLE VIII - DEDICATION OF PROPERTY (ASSETS, AND INCOME)
This Corporation is formed solely for the purposes set forth in Article IV herein. This corporation is not organized for pecuniary gain or profit, and it will not distribute any gains or profits or dividends to the officers, directors, hereof or to any person, except that it shall be authorized to pay reasonable payments in furtherance of it's specific and primary purposes.
ARTICLE IX - DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
There shall be as many voting Directors as there are member Indian Tribes or Bands. The qualifications of the directors, their method of selection, and their terms of office shall be provided in the By-Laws of this Corporation.
There shall be a Tribal High Chief (PRESIDENT), an Indefinite number of Sub Chiefs (VICE PRESIDENTS), a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The number of officers, their qualifications, and method of their selection, and terms of office and their duties and responsibilities and compensation therefore shall be stated in the By-Laws of this Corporation.
PAGE 4 ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The initial Board of Directors shall consist of one member of each tribe or band which is an incorporator hereof, and who shall serve until his successor is selected pursuant to the provisions contained in the BY-LAWS of this Corporation.
The initial Directors of the Tribal Council are as follows;
CHIEF EMERSON GARFIELD - TRIBAL JUDGE
EASTERN WOODLANDS BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION N.E.
61 ELM STREET
W. LEBANON, NH
CHIEF KEVIN J. FLETCHER
SPIRIT BEAR MEDICINE SOCIETY OF THE ABENAKI NATION N.H.
18 HIGH STREET
LEBANON, NH
[over the above, it is handwritten and reads, "Kicked Out" "Child Molester" "Thief" "Aug. 1984" "HFK"]
SUB CHIEF HOWARD F. KNIGHT JR.
EASTERN WOODLANDS BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION, VT.
RFD #1 BOX 15
THETFORD CENTER, VT
SUB CHIEF ROBERT STANLEY
EASTERN WOODLANDS BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION, NH.
83 A MAIN STREET
W. LEBANON, NH
PAGE 5 ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE X - REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The registered office of this corporation Tribe shall be:
The registered agent at the address above shall be: EMERSON B. GARFIELD AND OR KEVIN J. FLETCHER (written in) Howard F. Knight Jr. - Tribal Chief
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
If the disolution of this corporation Tribe shall become necessary, the Board of Directors Council of Elders shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation Tribe, dispose of all assets of this corporation Tribe in such a manner or to such organization(s) which are at that time organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Board of Directors Council of Elders shall determine whose purposes are in harmony with the purposes of this corporation, (CORPORATION). TRIBE
Any such assets not so disposed shall be disposed of by the County Court of the County in which the Principle office of this Corporation is then located Western Abenaki Confederation, exclusively for the purposes or to such organization(s), as said Court Confederation shall determine which are organized and operted exclusively for such purposes, that are in harmony with the purposes of this organization TRIBE
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENT
These Articles of Associaton may be modified, amended, altered, or repealed, in whole or in part, at any regular, or special meeting of the Board of Directors Council of Elders provided that the meeting is duly warned and constituted and a quorm [sic] is present.
All action taken to modify, amend, alter, or repeal theses [sic] Articles of Association Tribal Laws + By-Laws shall require the unanimous affirmative vote of all the Directors Elders present at any regular or special meeting of The Board of Directors Council of Elders warned for the aforesaid purpose.
PAGE 6 ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION (NOTARY PUBLIC)
ARTICLE XIV - Re - INCORPORATORS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE, the undersigned have executed these Articles of Association this ______ day of _________
____________INCORPORATOR
CHIEF EMERSON B. GARFIELD
EASTERN WOODLANDS [Howard Knight Jr. inserted the word "COOS"] BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION NH
63 Elm Street
W. Lebanon, NH 03784
______________INCORPORATOR
CHIEF KEVIN J. FLETCHER
SPIRIT BEAR MEDICINE SOCIETY of N.H.
18 High Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
_____________ INCORPORATOR
CHIEF HOWARD F. KNIGHT JR.
EASTERN WOODLANDS [Howard Knight Jr. inserted the word "COOS"] OF THE ABENAKI NATION, VT.
RFD #1 BOX 15
THETFORD CENTER, VT. 05075
_____________INCORPORATOR
CHIEF RICHARD W. PHILLIPS
EASTERN WOODLAND [inserted the word "COOS"] BAND OF THE ABENAKI NATION, VT
GENERAL DELIVERY
SWANTON, VERMONT 05488
ON this 1st day of June, 1983, personally appeared Emerson Garfield, Kevin Fletcher, Richard Phillips, and Howard Knight jr., known to me to be the persons whose names they subscribed to the above instrument, and made oath that the signing and ensealing of the within document is their free act and will.
BEFORE ME _____________________
Kevin Fletcher
Notary Public Lebanon, NH
What happened to the March 19, 1983 "Declaration" supposedly created and signed by Richard "Blackhorse" Wilfred Phillips, in his alleged statement of that he had to surrender his position as "High Chief" due to "family pressures and obligations which must take precedent at this time."? It would seem that such a "familial pressure and obligation" was short-lived and Richard Phillips seemingly returned to such organization by June 01, 1983 [?]. Yet, this document is NOT signed with any signatures of the "INCORPORATORS" nor by the Notary Public, Kevin J. Fletcher.
As one can "see" and review these documents, this group came FROM Homer St. Francis Sr.'s disgruntled, dissatisfied "Tribal" members, who instead of cleaning up the mess "on the table" these 3-4 people (Wayne J. Hoague, Richard W. Phillips, and Arthur W. Seymour) merely abandoned their "Abenaki" "Tribe" Incorporation, and created yet another incorporation, seperate seemingly from Homer St. Francis' group. Then Howard F. Knight Jr. and others "came into the group which Richard W. Phillips had created from disillusioned members that also left Homer's Inc. Subsequently, when Richard Phillips had left the Inc. he himself helped create with Wayne and Arthur, it was Howard Knight Jr. who began to "manipulate" and confabulate the documents "doctoring" them here and there, with dubious signature's and signing with his HFK throughout.
THERE'S MORE.....it's not "HISTORICAL" .... it's HYSTERICAL.
