Home VCNAA Commission Commission Meeting Minutes Minutes - February 26, 2009

Minutes - February 26, 2009

Written by Administrator

Friday, 20 March 2009

Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs Meeting Minutes February 26, 2008                                         Members Present: Donald Stevens, Chairman; Tim de la Bruere; Judy Dow; Jeanne Brink; Brad                                                 Barratt; Charles Delaney-Megeso Staff:  Diane McInerney, Executive Assistance DHP, Commission Secretary; Nancy Boone, Acting State Historic Preservation Officer; Giovanna Peebles, Vermont state Archeologist; Nora Kennedy and Janet Dattilio, Interpreters for Brad Barratt   Guests:  Dian Mueller, Richard (Skip) Bernier; Thomas Lichtenberger; John Moody; William Whitely  This meeting was brought to order by the Chairman, Don Stevens at 12:58 pm in the AOT Board Room, 5th floor, National Life Building, Montpelier. 1.      Approval of January 22, 2009 Minutes Tim moved to approve the minutes from the January meeting and Jeanne seconded.  Corrections were requested to the first paragraph, page 2, and a letter was added to the file confirming this information.  The January 22, 2009 minutes were approved unanimously by the Commission with corrections. Tim began a discussion about the procedure for the procurement and dissemination of minutes.  Jeanne moved to limit meeting minutes to what is required in statute (T.1 § 312 (b)(1) and the secretary will no longer be required to record the meeting. Tim seconded.  Statute requires that minutes include: (A)  All members of the public body present; (B)   All other active participants in the meeting; (C)  All motions, proposals and resolutions made, offered and considered, and what disposition is made of same; and (D) The results of any votes, with a record of the individual vote of each member if a roll call is taken. Don called for the vote. Don, Jeanne, Judy, Brad, and Tim voted in favor of the motion and Charles abstained 2.      Guest Speakers – Nancy Boon, Acting SHPO & Giovanna Peebles, Vermont State Archeologist Nancy Boone, Acting State Historic Preservation Officer introduced herself and addressed the Commission.  A short discussion, with questions answered, ensued. Giovanna Peebles, Vermont State Archeologist presented a draft copy of H.26, the current Unmarked Burial Bill in Committee, to Commission members.  A discussion followed and Peebles shared a history of the bill with examples of the treatment plan.  Commission questions were answered and Peebles informed the Commission that as a stakeholder, they will be routinely notified if Native American remains are discovered. 3.      Old Business a.      April’s letter to the Commission Judy moved to disregard the letter April sent to the Commission and not to include it in the minutes of the January meeting since it was not posted on the agenda.  Tim seconded.  Don called for the vote: Tim, Jeanne, Brad, Charles, and Judy all voted in favor of the motion and Don was opposed. Members agreed to invite April to the next meeting to discuss her concerns. b.      Commission approval of Vested Authority Charles was charged by the Commission to propose an amendment to §852 that would give the Commission “vested authority” for helping all Native Peoples regardless of a working or agreed upon ethnic definition, and to submit it for approval to the Legislature.  Judy moved for the Commission to move forward with the proposed language for vested authority and for Don to extend a hand to other tribes for their input.  Tim seconded. The Commission vote was unanimous for Charles to attain a sponsor who will submit this proposal for vested authority to the Legislature. c.       Education Jeanne shared with the Commission and quests information on language camps held by Jessie & Joe Bruchac on June 26-28, 2009 at their residence, and by the Wijokadoak, in Warner (Bradford), NH on July 13-17, 2009.  The Warner camp is for children and families.  More information can be found at www.westernabenaki.com.  Eli Joubert also has an Abenaki dictionary available.  Don brought to the meeting a copy of the Essential Understanding Regarding VT Indians.  Tim mentioned that the current state curriculum does not include native history specific to Vermont.  To satisfy this curriculum, teachers can “creatively” adapt Native American to Abenaki and contact someone in the community to share local native knowledge.  Judy felt that the state standards need to change and include the Abenaki People in the curriculum. Judy presented many educational resources for the Commission’s pleasure and knowledge. Commission members agreed to invite Sigrid Lumbra, Department of Education to the next meeting. 4.      New Business a.      Recognition Bill H.124 currently in the House Tim moved that the Commission does not support H.124 as it is currently written.  Judy seconded.  There was a short discussion.  The Commission unanimously approved of this decision to support vested authority and not support H.124 as written. Tim moved to appoint a member/representative of the Commission to craft a letter submitted to the Legislators who sponsored the bill, H.124, and to the current committee where the bill stands explaining the Commission’s position. The Commission’s position is to only support vested authority and not the bill H.124 as currently written.  Jeanne seconded.  Commission members unanimously approved of Tim as their representative to craft this letter. It was agreed that Tim will send a letter stating the Commissions position and Charles will work on vested authority. b.      2010 Census Don asked if Commission members wanted to participate in the 2010 Census and Judy suggested federal census people attend a VCNAA meeting and there may be an opportunity for a training that would include community members. Guest John Moody shared his knowledge with the census regarding Abenaki People. c.       New Website Update Don presented the Commission with draft information on the new website, and asked for Commission member suggestions.  Tim and Brad offered to assist with the website.  The website will be maintained by the Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 3:02 pm. Respectfully submitted, Diane McInerney (say-air-kee-wayn-chukws).

 

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