Page [1.]
N-11065ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION (non-profit and cooperatives)
Corporate name:
Clan of the Hawk, Inc.
Name of Registered agent:
Andrew Paul Swett [Ralph Skinner Swett's son]
Address of registered office:
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, Vermont 05860
Corporation Purpose:
Public Benefit (T.11B)
DIRECTORS:
1. Ralph Skinner Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
2. Andrew Paul Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
3. Michael Blacha
1793 Island Pond Road
Newark, VT 05837
MEMBERS:
1. Francis Batchelder
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
2. Nancy (nee: Cote) Rolls
1044 Chamberlin Road
Barton, VT 05822
[Stamped] 2001 Apr 11 PM 3:08 [April 11, 2001]
[NOTE: This date which is "stamped" on this document is NOT the date the Clan of the Hawk, Inc. was created; this "Abenaki" "Inter-Tribal" Organization started in August 1994 when Howard F. Knight Jr. made Ralph Skinner Swett "an HONORARY ABENAKI CHIEF; just like, in turn, Mr. Ralph Swett made Senator Vincent Illuzzi "an HONORARY ABENAKI CHIEF" in late July/early August 1998.
Headdress and Indian Name included. Even a photograph in the Caledonian-Record Newspaper! Is Senator Vincent Illuzzi an "un-biased" "transparent" or a "fair" Politician in this "Abenaki" Recognition dynamic. I think not. That again, is my conclusion.
Page [2.]
Purpose:
Cultural Association to benefit Native Americans in the State of Vermont.
No assets at this time.
Incorporators printed name, signature and address:
Ralph S. Swett - Ralph S. Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
Fee enclosed: $75.00
Clan of the Hawk - Brochure - Side 1
A Coos-Cowasuck Band of the Abenaki Nation of Native Americans is located in Evansville, Vermont by the beautiful Willoughby River.
It is also the home of the Clan of the Hawk's Craft Cooperative. We are very proud of what has developed from all the efforts of our members in making this project such a huge success.
Come visit us anytime. You will always be welcomed. Grounds are open from May 1st to October 30th every year. We also welcome school and scout groups as well as others for visits.
Visit our beautiful grounds surrounded by the famous Willoughby River. You will be able to feel the Spirits that abound here and enjoy the peace and serenity that surrounds the site. One can hardly believe it until they actually experience it!
Pow Wow
Our biggest event every year is our annual Pow Wow, always held on the first weekend in August. Make your plans to attend, there is never an admission charge. Donations are always gratefully accepted. Our office is locate at the Evansville Trading Post on Route 58 east of Orleans, Vermont. Phone: (802) 754-6305 Fax: (802) 754-3954 EMAIL: ETPVT@aol.com Check out our website at http://etpvt.clanofthehawk.com/
Members
The Clan of the Hawk is a very active group of Native Americans. Our membership is growing every year and we always welcome new members. Come join us and take part in our activities which go on for most of the year. More information on how to join us is available at the office or come in to see us personally anytime.
Waban Drum
In 1998 we decided to build our own Pow Wow drum. Many hours went into this project by various members of the clan.
Lessons on the drum were given to a large group of our members. This enabled us to have a good core of trained drummers and singers to draw on. Much entertainment has been given to many and enjoyed by all. The spiritual growth that has been achieved from this drum and singing has been a major contribution to the growth of the clan.
Craft Cooperative
The Abenaki Clan of the Hawk formed a Craft Cooperative a few years ago to promote our natural heritage. It also gives our members and friends a chance to learn some of the old crafts that have been forgotten.
The program continues through most of the year and has worked out well for who have participated.
We hope that you will attend our CRAFT SHOW which is held the last weekend in July. Many crafts are displayed and are for sale. Admission is free to visitors. Music, drumming and singing are provided for entertainment. Many other activities are enjoyed by members and visitors alike. Swimming, nature walks, cookouts and solstice celebrations are always being held.
Spring and summer events will include various classes on different subjects of interest to all who would like to participate. Also available are the labyrinth and medicine wheel for everyone to enjoy. Come and visit with us!
Native American Educational Series
This educational program can be specifically tailored to grades 4 through 12. It has been a huge success in area schools insofar as it offers insights into Native American History, Traditions and Customs.
In addition to schools other groups may avail themselves of this program.
Clan of the Hawk
Northeast Wind Council
Sovereign Abenaki Nation
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860-9597
Clan of the Hawk produces unique CD
Evansville - It has often been stated that the best things often come in small packages. What hasn't been stated is that a tremendous amount of time and work can go into these small package. The compact disc of Native American music produced by the Clan of the Hawk of the Western Abenakis, headquartered in Evansville, Vt, is a case in point.
It had it's beginning over five years ago when Chief Spirit Water (a/k/a Ralph Swett) decided that the Clan of the Hawk needed a drum and singing group to preserve Native American music, which was in danger of fast falling into oblivion. The first step was acquiring a drum.
While so-called Native American drums can be purchased from at least three different companies, they are far from authentic. Their frames are usually made from hardwood and their heads are invariably cowhide. As a consequence, their tone, timbre and resonance fall far short of a true Algonquian drum.
After considerable research into old drum making techniques, a frame was made from swamp (white) cedar; two large, legally harvested moose hides were obtained. These hides were cured by a long soak (three weeks) in the nearby Willoughby River, plus a lot of scraping and careful cutting.
As one of the drum makers said recently, "Preparing raw moose hides from drum heads is a dirty, stinking, laborious job; it certainly isn't something I'd like to do on a regular basis."
Was the effort worth it?
Ask connoisseurs of Native American music this question, and they'll likely tell you that the Clan of the Hawk drum is the best sounding one they've ever heard.
Named the Waban Drum, which means Drum from the East" in Abenaki, it was ready to play, but lacked three essential elements: songs, drummers and a singing group.
Looking back in those early days, Chief Spirit Water said, "To develop a viable drum and singing group appeared to be formidable if not impossible task. Our approach was take one step at a time in a logical sequential manner."
"The first step was to collect songs and lyrics. This required considerable time and travel. Once we got a song it was practise, practise and more practise. These practise sessions were held every Saturday afternoon during the spring, summer and fall. Frequently these sessions would last six hours or until the drummers got sore arms and singers got hoarse."
What emerged from this long and often onerous practise was an extensive repertoire. More importantly, it revealed a reservoir of real talent that quickly made its appearance among both drummers and singers.
Woodland Walker (Francis Bachelder), whose deft sense of tempo and beautiful voice has made him a unanimous choice as Drum Keeper and Lead Singer, is also an uncompromising perfectionist. No song is ever performed in public until it gets his personal approval, which is not easily come by.
For the past four years, the Waban Drum and singers...
ILLUSTRATION PHOTOGRAPH
Francis Batchelder (Woodland Walker) stands behind a point of purchase display of the Waban Drum and Singers compact disc at the Evansville Trading Post. Francis, who is Drum Keeper and lead singer, has reason for the big smile. Early sales of the disc have been phenomenal!
...have made a large number of public appearances at schools, powwows, libraries, conventions and other public gatherings. People who have never before heard Native American music are frequently amazed at melodies, intricacies and depth of feeling it conveys, "It's amazing," Chief Spirit Water said, "how many non-native Americans like Native American music. Fact-of-the matter is that most of them have never have authentic Native American music before.
"Every time we've played in public, people have come up to me and ask where they could a tape or a CD of our Waban Drum and singers. After hearing this 200 or 300 times, I figured we'd be wise to do a CD not only to meet public demand but to preserve our music for posterity."
The Clan of the Hawk's compact disc of the Waban Drum and singers is, like the Waban Drum, a clan production. The CD was recorded in the chapel at the Clan of the Hawk's headquarters and pow wow grounds on Route 58 in Evansville. It was found that the chapel offered perfect acoustics.
The recording itself was done by Ray Bushey, assisted by Mike Kelley. Both are of Abenaki heritage and have a professional background in music. The recording equipment, owned by Ray,is, perhaps, the most sophisticated in the Northeast. The mixing an ending was also done by these two talented individuals.
The cover design of the compact disc and the design of the point of purchase displays were done by Clan of the Hawk member Nancy Cote-Rolls (Clan Grandmother Raven), who, prior to her retirement, was a typographer and graphic designer. [Nancy Cote-Rolls and Luke Willard both CAME OUT OF CLAN OF THE HAWK, INC. and Nancy Cote-Rolls, and her daughter Dawn Macie both had been members of the Homer St. Francis St. Francis Sokoki bunch up in Swanton, Vermont previous to joining up with Ralph Skinner Swett. How can this Luke Andrew Willard HONESTLY state that the Nulhegan-Coosuk, Inc. group that he helped create in 2004, is a Abenaki Tribe, when IN FACTUAL documentation, he was previously in two other Incorporations ... that being David Hill's "No. Amer. People of the Dawn, Inc. and then subsequently the Clan of the Hawk, Inc.?]
The disc opens to the sound of the sacred welk shell and an Indian flute solo by the talented Debbie Girard (Morning Star) of Jay, Vermont. Eight songs by the Waban Drum and singers that range from songs of sadness through songs of happiness, love, and, finally, triumph, follow. The disc ends with another flute solo and a prayer by Little Tree. Anyone hearing this CD will agree that it's an inspired performance by a group of talented local people who have worked hard to bring this project to successful fruition.
How's the CD selling?
"It's kind of startling," according to Chief Spirit Water. "The CD was released just eight days ago, and orders are coming in left, right and sideways. We've even had several orders from Europe; and the day before yesterday, we made a large shipment to England. It's really pretty gratifying. I'd guess we're doing something right!"
It's like we said at the beginning: "Good things come in small packages."
Page [1.]
N-11065
Reinstated Articles of Incorporation
Vermont Secretary of State
81 River Street
Montpelier, VT
05609-1109
Ph: 802-828-2386
Corporation Name:
Clan of the Hawk, Inc.
Corporation Type:
Public Benefit
Registered agent's name, address in Vermont (Street, city and zip)
Andrew Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
Principle office address:
123 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
DIRECTOR'S Names and addresses:
1. Ralph Swett
123 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
2. Andrew Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
3. Gail Ruggles
2088 Maple Ridge Road
Newark, VT 05871
4. Colin K. Wood
3129 Regan Road
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
5. Todd Hebert
185 Lilleyville Road
East Calais, VT 05650
OFFICERS:
1. President/Secretary: Ralph Swett
2. Vice President: Andrew Swett
3. Second Vice President: Todd Hebert
4. Third Vice President: Colin Wood
5. Secretary: Gail Ruggles
PURPOSE:
The Clan of the Hawk, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
Further:
No part of the net earnings of the corporation Clan of the Hawk, Inc. shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, directors or other private persons, except to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.
No substantial part of the activities of the corporation Clan of the Hawk, Inc. shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the publishing or distribution of statements for any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the corporation Clan of the Hawk, Inc. shall not carry on any other activities no permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income tax of the IRS code.
[Stamped] RECEIVED VT Secretary of State Date: February 02, 2007
NOTE: This is a Corporation claiming to be an "Abenaki" Cowasuck Tribe; yet it is NOT one, by any stretch of the imagination. This is also a conclusion applicable to any of the other "Abenaki" Corporation's that have been created in Vermont and or New Hampshire which claim to be Abenaki Tribes (such as the FOUR that comprise the "VT Indigenous Alliance" !
Page [2.]
Dissolution: Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdicition of the county in which the principle office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes, or to such organization(s) as the Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Anticipated paid staff after (one) 1 Year:
1 to 3 persons
Anticipated budget after (one) 1 Year:
0 to $25,000.00
Anticipated volunteer staff after (one) 1 Year:
10-15
Do you plan to apply for tax-exempt status with the IRS?
Yes
Incorporator's Printed Name & Signature:
Gail E. Ruggles
Incorporator's postal address:
2088 Maple Ridge Road
Newark, Vermont 05871
Filing Requirements:
Nonprofit corporations are required to file a biennial report the year following incorporation, then every 2 years thereafter, between Jan. 1 and Apr. 1.
Fee:
Filing of Amendment or Restatement of Articles of Incorporation: $25.00
Email Address or phone number where you can be reached.
aprilday@together.net or 802-467-9875
Gail E. Ruggles
Secretary for Clan of the Hawk, Inc. 2-5-07
[February 05, 2007]
Michael Blacha
1793 Island Pond Road
East Haven, VT 05837
December 1, 2001
Corporations Divisions
Office of the Secretary of State
81 River Street - Drawer 09
Monpelier, VT 05609-1104
Dear Sir:
Please remove my name from the list of Corporate Officer for the Clan of the Hawk - File #N11065-0. As I no longer have any connection to that organization, I feel it is only proper to remove my name from the list of Corporate Officers.
Thank you,
Michael P. Blacha
cc: Ralph Swett
645 Brownington, VT 05860
C.L.
File
[Stamped] Vermont Secretary of State
2001 Dec 13 PM 3:25
N-11065
Restated ARTICLES OF INCORPORATIONCorporation Name:
Clan of the Hawk, Inc.
Corporation Type:
Public Benefit
Registered agent's name, address in Vermont:
Andrew Swett
645 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
Principle office address:
123 Evansville Road
Brownington, VT 05860
DIRECTORS Names and Addresses:
1. Ralph Swett
2. Andrew Swett
3. Gail Ruggles
[NOTICE: That Colin Wood and Todd Hebert are not listed]
OFFICERS:
1. President: Ralph Swett
2. Vice President: Andrew Swett
3. Secretary: Gail Ruggles
4. Treasurer: Ralph Swett
Purpose:
Charitable and Educational
[Stamped] Vermont Secretary of State
2006 Sep -6 PM 12:42 [September 06, 2006]
Page [2.]
Anticipated paid staff after (one) 1 Year:
1 to 3 persons
Anticipated budget after (one) 1 Year:
0 to 9,999.00
Anticipated volunteer staff after (one) Year:
10-15
Do you plan to apply for tax exempt status with the IRS?
Yes
Incorporator's Printed Name & Signature:
Gail E. Ruggles
Gail E. Ruggles
Incrporators postal address:
2088 Maple Ridge Road
Neward, Vermont 05871
Fees: Filing Amendment or Restatment of Articles of Incorporation: $25.00
Email address or phone number where you can be reached.
aprilday@together.net or 802-467-9875
Money Order Enclosed
[Stamped] 2006 Sep -6 PM 12:42
