Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe facts for kids
| Named after | Missisquoi people, Abenaki people |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2015 |
| Type | state-recognized tribe, nonprofit organizations |
| Location | |
|
Official language
|
English |
|
Chief
|
Brenda Gagne |
|
Revenue (2018)
|
$116,856 |
| Expenses (2018) | $126,720 |
|
Formerly called
|
St. Francis/Sokoki Band of the Sovereign Republic of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi |
The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe is one of four state-recognized tribes in Vermont. They say they are descendants of the historic Abenaki people. Specifically, they claim to be from the Missisquoi people.
It is important to know that this tribe is not federally recognized by the United States government. Vermont does not have any federally recognized tribes.
The current leader of the Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe is Chief Brenda Gagne.
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What's in a Name?
The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe is also called the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi. Over time, they have used other names too. These include the St. Francis-Sokoki Band of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi. They were also known as the Abenaki Tribal Council of Missisquoi. Another past name was the St. Francis/Sokoki Band of the Sovereign Republic of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.
State Recognition in Vermont
Vermont officially recognized the Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe in 2012. This means the state sees them as a Native American tribe.
Besides the Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe, Vermont recognizes three other tribes. These are the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, and the Koasek Abenaki Tribe.
Maquam Bay: A Nonprofit Group
In 2015, the Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe started a nonprofit organization. It is called Maquam Bay of Missisquoi. This group is based in Swanton, Vermont.
Their main goal is to help the Abenaki community. They do this by focusing on health, education, and the environment. They use a "holistic" approach, meaning they look at all parts of well-being.
The Maquam Bay of Missisquoi has a board of directors. These are people who help guide the organization.
Trying for Federal Recognition
The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe is the only state-recognized tribe in Vermont that has asked for federal recognition. This means they have asked the U.S. government to officially recognize them as a Native American tribe.
They applied for federal recognition several times. They first applied in 1980, then again in 1992, and finally in 2007. Some of their applications were turned down. One application was withdrawn because of legal issues with the State of Vermont. The 2007 application was denied. The government said the evidence did not show a clear connection to historic Abenaki groups.
Abenaki Heritage and History
The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe is one of four state-recognized tribes in Vermont. In 2016, they had 60 members.
Research has looked into the history of these tribes. It suggests that many members have French ancestors. These families may have connected their French heritage to an Abenaki identity over time.
Historically, many Abenaki people moved north to Quebec by the late 1600s. This was reported by the State of Vermont in 2002.
Community Activities
The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe takes part in special events. One is the Abenaki Heritage Weekend. This event happens at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont.
The tribe also helps their local community. They have run a food shelf with the USDA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they held a vaccine clinic in 2021. This clinic helped Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) get vaccinated.
Property Tax Exemption
In 2022, a new law was passed in Vermont. This law, called H.556, helps state-recognized Native American tribes. It means that property owned by these tribes is now free from property taxes. This law was passed on April 20, 2022.
See also
- State v. Elliott, 616 A.2d 210 (Vt. 1992), a Vermont Supreme Court decision
