VT Senate Committee votes out S.222
Mark Mitchell
March 10, 2010

The VT Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, today voted out unanimously S.222, (an act relating to recognition of Abenaki bands and tribes).

The AG's efforts to use “unintended consequences” simply comes from the same old playbook. The committee although, took the first step in righting a wrong.

Fifteen other states have recognized their resident native people as American Indian Tribes, without any of those tribes previously or subsequently acquiring federal recognition.

In May of 2006, the General Assembly passed S117, in an effort to recognize the Abenaki people fell short. The act failed to comport with the recognition requirements of the IACB.