EASTERN WOODLANDS [-COOS] BAND
ABENAKI NATION OF VERMONT REPUBLIC OF VT./N.H.
TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING
3-19-83
March 19, 1993
2:15 PM EST
Offering of the Pipe presented by Kichi Sagmo Wobigid Nolka [Big or Great Chief or Speaker White Deer-Buck - Kevin J. Fletcher] and Kichi Sagmo Black Horse [Big or Great Chief or Speaker Richard W. "Blackhorse" Phillips], Kichi Sagmo Spirit Bear [Big or Great Chief or Speaker Spirit Bear - Emerson B. Garfield].
OSHAHI [?] .....LET THE COUNCIL MEETING BEGAIN. [sic]
TO the East, Where the Sun never sets, to the West where the Thunder Beings live, To the North Where the Great Cleansing winds come, and to the Sounth Where everything grows and becomes pure.
To ODIOZO** The God of Tobacco and of the Pipe.
To Mother Earth from wence [sic] all things come and all Things return.
To the Great Spirit And To The Great Creator.....
Order of Business;
The following Business was discussed by the Tribal Council and passed and excepted by the Council.
1.) The Declaration of the resignation of high Cheif Black Horse (Richard Phillips) was read and accepted by the trible Council, pending a that at a future date when and if decided by the council He will return and once again regain his status as High Chief.
2.) The election of new Tribal Officers were made and noted in the Records of the Abenaki Nation. The following are now and will always be (unless by order of Kichi Sagmo Black Horse) the new Tribal council;
[handwritten onto the document by Howard F. Knight, Jr. it reads pertaing to the 1.2.3.4.5. "To be REVISED IN FUTURE, then Revided 1989 HFK"]
1. Kichi Sagmo Spirit Bear [Emerson Bidwell Garfield] (HIGH CHIEF) Rushing Water [Howard F. Knight Jr.] cursively written "until Oct. 1986"; and then the 8 is crossed over to replace it with a 9, so manipulated into becoming Oct. 1996
2. Kichi Sagmo White Buck [Kevin J. Fletcher] (SHAMAN)(HISTORIAN) Running Bear
3. Sagmo Rushing Water [Howard F. Knight Jr.] (COORDINATOR GENEOLOGIST) Spirit Bear [Emerson B. Garfield]
4. Princess Ghost Walker (TRIBAL SEC.)
5. Kichi Sagmo Black Horse [Richard Wilfred Phillips] (NO. 2 HIGH CHIEF) [handwritting, by Howard F. Knight, Jr. with an arrow pointed to No. 5 it reads, "Resigned"]
3.) A new or renewed method of ID will be taking place, the following is an approved color code for our ID cards;
1. RED--- TRIBAL HIGH CHIEF
2. LT. BLUE---- MEDICINE MAN (SHAMAN)
3. LT. GREEN---- SUBCHIEFS (Council Members)
4. Minallia ---- MEMBERS AT LARGE.
MINUTES OF TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING Page (2)
4.) (RUSHING WATER [Howard F. Knight Jr.] SPEAKS:) The following matters must be taken care of ASAP.
1. Certificate of NON-PROFIT AND INCORPORATION, As well as up date of Art. of Association under Title 11 chap. 19 VSA Annon. [handwritten onto the document by Howard F. Knight, Jr. page, "Kevin J. Fletcher will do this, this month It is for us ReCertification June 1983"]
2. This encompasses all aspects of the Abenaki Nation ie. customes, rights, rituals, ceramonies, etc.
3. A Geneological background must be performed on all incoming members, and proof of Indian Blood line of at least 1/8th in order to be accepted by The Abenaki Nation. [handwritten onto the page by Howard F. Knight, Jr. is "Approved June '83"]
4. The adoption of the Pedigree Chart used by the Mormons is a guidline for all of that paper work.
Copies of the following for proof of blood line is and will be the only accepted form of proof; Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Marriage Lin. [License] , or
other related legal documents that are attested copies with a notary seal. [handwritten onto the page by Howard F. Knight, Jr. is "Approved June '83"]
5.) The use of the "TALKING STICK" will be reinstated by Kichi Sagmo Spirit Bear [Emerson B. Garfield] and used in accordance of Tribal Law, When a council member has the Talking Stick he has the right to speak without interruption until he is finished and then must pass the Talking Stick on to the next member. (ONLY THE TRIBAL HIGH CHIEF OR THE SHAMAN MAY INTERRUPT HIM.)
6.) THE USE of an ID Place which will be given to all members of the Abenaki Nation, Has been proposed by Sagmo Rushing Water (Howard Knight). and accepted by the council and will again be brought up at the next council meeting.
7.) The following is a revision of Tribal Laws and are in full force, and will be enforced by the Tribal Sherrif and Council Members.
1. Any Alchoal or other Dangours Drugs or illegale narcotics will be strickley prohibated, and said user will be turned over to tribal athoritys. (This includes at POW WOW'S, COUNCIL MEETINGS, or GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.)
2. NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES: POW WOW'S TRIBAL COUNCILS OR MEETINGS, OR ANY TRIBAL GET TOGHTER UNLESS GAMES OR CONTESTS ARE POSTED.
(The Shaman and Trilbe High Chief will be allowed to use ragalia for ceramonies and rites only at anytime so choosen by the Tribla Council.
NEW ADRESS FOR ALL CORRESSPONDANCE TO THE ABENAKI [inserted into the sentence is, "Republic"] NATION OF VERMONT.....
c/o THE ABENAKI NATION
[handwritten onto the document by Howard F. Knight, Jr., in lieu of the crossed out part, "Wherever the Chief resides Oct. 1989 - and circled is "SP" or "SB" - Emerson B. Garfield and "Chief R.W." - Richard W. Phillips ?]
8.) A NEWS article was sent to the Valley News and Photo a were available to the press. All agencies will be notified of the chances in Tribal Matters. (ie. Officers, etc.)
The Tribe Council Meeting was called to kichi (Comments for the common good) at 3:30 pm EST, and colsing ceremony preformed by Chiefs BLACK HORSE [Richard Wilfred Phillips] AND SPIRIT BEAR [Emerson B. Garfield]. With closing prayer by Chief White Buck [Kevin J. Fletcher].
As is the way of the Red Man all Tribal Matters are to be kept from The White Man and The Only Ceremonies That can be disclosed are the dances and Songs. (with Exceptions) [wriiten onto the document "changed Oct. 1989. Chief HFK"]
******Warning******
Any Information given to anyone other than Tribal Council members is Forbiden under penilties of pain and dispensention and explusion from this and all Tribal Rights and Privedges
The GREAT SPIRIT AND CREATOR
Be with you always,
KICHI SAGMO WOBIGID NOLKA
(HIGH CHIEF WHITE BUCK)
MEDICINE MAN
KEVIN J. PHILLIPS (FLETCHER)
[written onto the document by Howard F. Knight, Jr. "Disgraced and Banned" and pn a circle, is "1984"]
Arthur W. "Bill" Seymour a.k.a. Running Bear
Emerson B. Garfield a.k.a. Spirit Bear
Richard W. Phillips a.k.a. Black Horse
Howard F. Knight Jr. a.k.a. Rushing Water
Ralph Swett a.k.a. Chief Spirit Water a.k.a. Chief Lone Cloud
Paul W. Pouliot a.k.a. Spirit Hawk
David A. Hill a.k.a. Sly Wolf
Etc. Etc. Etc.
