Once again, the Abenaki had placed their faith in the State only to find out that the last-minute tinkering of the bill by the Attorney General’s Office thwarted their sought-after state recognition.įour years later, on April 20th, I sit here again with the possibilities of recognition so near yet only to be thwarted this time by a well-intentioned legislator who speaks of “fairness and level playing fields”. ![]() ![]() Still, I am a believer that we must confront the truth – however painful that sometimes is – in order for us to grow emotionally, intellectually and socially.Īs such, I am thoroughly ashamed of how we have treated our original inhabitants.įurther, I am aghast that in the year 2010, we are mired in “politically correct” claptrap which continues to put off a fundamental civil right that many of us thought was finally righted on May 6, 2006, when Governor Douglas signed into law S.117, a bill giving supposed recognition to the Abenaki.Ī few months later, we were shocked to find out that the language of the bill would not pass muster with the Federal Arts and Crafts Board thus denying Abenaki artisans the ability to sell their crafts as “native-made.” I am proud to call the Green Mountain State my home, a place where I have raised my two children in a positive physical, cultural, and intellectual environment. While my consulting takes me all over the world, today I am here as a Vermonter. I am a Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate with a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Organizational and Foundational Studies. I hold a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. ![]() My Name is Jeff Benay, and I have consulted with the Abenaki for over 30 years.
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