I just completed a journal article on the fake "Abenaki tribes" in Vermont. What I uncovered is remarkable. They all rely on French-Canadians immigrants in mid-1800s as "root ancestors," no Abenaki ancestry whatsoever.
#raceshifting
In case you're wondering, these 4 "Abenaki tribes" were recognized by the State of Vermont:
Elnu Abenaki Tribe + Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki (2011) + Abenaki Nation at Missisquoi + Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation (2012).
They now receive $millions in state & federal educational funding, lifetime fishing licenses, authorization to sell products under Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, repatriated human remains + land to manage.
#raceshifting
They have NO Abenaki ancestry.
Plus, the Abenaki people have publicly opposed their claims for about 20 years.
#raceshifting
The Chief and Council at Odanak, the largest Abenaki community in QC, wrote to the state of Vermont in 2003:
"Please be advised that we have no knowledge of the [Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi] alleged connections to our ancestors. We knew nothing of them until the 1970s and ...
they have done nothing to prove their identity to us. […] Accordingly, we request that you no longer deal with this organization and instead begin to deal with us on all matters related to our ancestors.”
#raceshifting
In April 2019, the Abenaki at Odanak said, "We declare that the W8banaki Nation doesn’t recognize any of the “Abenaki” groups in Vermont and New Hampshire; […]
We declare that among these groups, their “leaders” self-identify as chiefs, councillors, spiritual guides [...]
and speak on behalf of the W8banaki and propagate, often in an error-filled manner, Abenaki culture."
#raceshifting
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