In a year when the pandemic has kept lawmakers scrambling, some bills addressing indigenous issues in the state have gained traction, while others have been pushed aside for now.
Legislators, tribal leaders, and the State Commission on Native American Affairs have been working together on legislation important to the state’s four recognized tribes, which gained recognition in 2011 and 2012. Since then, the state has also passed a bill to have Indigenous People’s Day replace Columbus Day, as urged by Rep. Brian Cina, P-Burlington. But Cina says the state still has work to do. Chiefs from Vermont’s Abenaki tribes agree.
“There has been an acknowledgement from the Legislature that Vermont needs to do more for the Abenaki community in light of the history of colonization and eugenics that has occurred in this land,” Cina said.
Continued> Read the full article by Amanda Gokee in VTDigger.
Sokoki Sojourn 