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Senate votes on Abenaki bill, but it may be too late Published: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By Terri Hallenbeck
Free Press Staff Writer
MONTPELIER -- Senators settled Tuesday on a possible solution to the elusive problem of how to help Vermont's Abenaki meet federal rules for marketing arts and crafts, but it might be too late for the bill to make it through the House before the Legislature adjourns next month.
The Senate gave preliminary approval by voice vote Tuesday to the bill, which would give provisional state recognition to three bands of Abenaki pending their application for full approval to a state commission. Other bands would also be able to apply to the commission for recognition. The bill would also ensure those three bands a seat on the commission.
Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex/Orleans, acknowledged on the Senate floor that the process was difficult, as legislators spent months sorting through logistical problems and long-standing mistrust among various Abenaki groups. "In January, these three groups were at odds with each other," he said.
The bill is intended to fix a flawed 2006 law that granted Abenaki state recognition, but because it didn't identify specific bands, it didn't meet federal rules that are meant to protect American Indian arts and crafts from fraud. Without state recognition, Abenaki may not legally market their work as Abenaki-made, a moniker that can increase its value.
Sen. Diane Snelling, R-Chittenden, said she didn't think the new bill worked either. "I just don't think we're there yet," she said.
She questioned whether the three main bands -- the St. Francis/Sokoki of Swanton, the Koasek Traditional Band of Newbury and the Nulhegan Band of Newport -- represent a majority of Vermont Abenaki, as Illuzzi suggested. She also said guaranteeing those bands a seat on the commission could give them too much power over other bands.
After the bill receives final approval today in the Senate, its prospects are uncertain. House committees are scheduled to finish all bills by Friday. House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee Chairwoman Helen Head, D-South Burlington, said that's not enough time to schedule and take testimony on an issue that's clearly complicated.
House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, said the House Rules Committee would have to agree to let the bill through and that's unlikely to happen. "It's really, really, really late," Symington said.
Should the House not take up the measure, a new bill would need to be introduced when the Legislature reconvenes in January. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/NEWS02/804160313/1007 |
