Beyond Borders: Unheard Abenaki Voices from the Odanak First Nations
"It’s been a decade since Vermont’s government recognized four groups of Vermonters as Native American tribes. Largely excluded from that political process of 2010-2012 were the Abenaki of the Odanak First Nation. Displaced across the U.S.-Canada border in the era of the American Revolution, the ancestors of the Odanak Abenaki once occupied much of northern New England. Yet Odanak held no representation on Vermont’s Commission on Native American Affairs when recognition was granted, nor was Odanak’s elected leadership permitted to testify before the Vermont Legislature during that process. Initially supportive of the Missisquoi group in the 1970s, Odanak’s leadership came to oppose Vermont recognition by 2003, and does not recognize any of Vermont’s four tribes as Abenaki.
On this tenth anniversary of state recognition, the University of Vermont welcomes the Abenaki of Odanak and their New England relatives to share their historical perspective on land they consider to be their unceded territory in and adjacent to the Green Mountain State: a homeland known as Ndakinna. Who are the Abenaki of Odanak? How have they used their homeland that became Vermont and New England since their displacement in the 18th century? What does recognition, including Vermont’s recognition of the Elnu, Koasek, Missisquoi and Nulhegan, mean to them? This event asks Vermonters to listen to and take account of Native voices that have so far gone unheard in our public discourse."
The general public will be able to register the 25th after 8 a.m. for remote attendance ...
Register Here: go.uvm.edu/beyondborders
