Under the Dome: Passion runs strong

on Abenaki-recognition bill

By Terri Hallenbeck
Free Press Staff Writer
January 16, 2006

MONTPELIER -- For the past two weeks, Francis Brooks has heard a string of passionate pleas from the witness chair in his committee room, tucked away in the corner of the third floor of the Statehouse.

The issue is whether the state should grant official recognition to the Abenaki tribe of American Indians. Passion runs particularly strong on the topic, starting with tribal members who share stories of discrimination and exclusion, and extending to a cast of legislators who've given some of their most heart-felt speeches on the subject.

Few feel stronger than the man sitting at the head of the table, presiding over this year's testimony.

"I think that I am sensitive to the issue of people being put down," said Brooks, who is chairman of the House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee and the only black man among Vermont's 180 legislators. "It certainly pushed buttons and had similarities that I think I can relate to."

Although Brooks said his race gives him insight into the discrimination minorities such as the Abenaki endure, he thinks the tribe has suffered another kind of injustice by having its heritage go unrecognized.

"I can walk into a community setting and one knows that in my ancestry there is some African-American -- by my appearance. That's not necessarily the case by Native Americans," he said. "The Abenaki people have not been officially welcomed to the community."

For him, no other argument supersedes extending that overdue welcome. "It's insidious what can happen to an individual who's constantly told and given examples of how little they're worth," Brooks said.

This week, his committee will continue discussing an Abenaki-recognition bill (S.117) that passed the Senate last year. Brooks, a Democrat from Montpelier, said he thinks it will pass the nine-member committee, then go to the House Judiciary Committee before the full House takes a vote.

The Abenaki have fought for recognition for years, but last year was the first time such a bill passed one of the chambers. This year, its prospects for making it into law are greater than ever.

The state Attorney General's Office had opposed state recognition on the grounds that it could lead to federal recognition, which in turn could lead to land claims and casinos. Late last year, however, the federal government turned down the Missisquoi Abenakis' bid for federal recognition, and Assistant Attorney General William Griffin has withdrawn his opposition to state recognition.

State recognition -- beyond granting the Abenaki long-sought acknowledgement of their heritage -- would open the door to college scholarships, grants and the right to market American Indian crafts.

Brooks, a soft-spoken retired science teacher, points out that he is hardly the only one with a passion for the issue. Last year's thrust in the Senate was in large part to honor Sen. Julius Canns, R-Caledonia, as he was dying. Canns, who was part-Cherokee, had long fought for Abenaki rights. The lead sponsor of the bill was Sen. Dianne Snelling, R-Chittenden, who said the American Indian tradition of respecting the land is what being a real Vermonter is all about.

Last week, Rep. Carolyn Branagan, R-Georgia, delivered an impassioned appeal to Brooks' committee to pass the legislation. "No other group of people in Vermont history have been denied their existence," she said.

Snelling said she considers the bill in good hands with Brooks. "I think he understands the whole issue. I think he's a good steward for it." Free Press Staff Writer Nancy Remsen contributed to this report. Contact Terri Hallenbeck at 229-9141 or Terri Hallenbeck