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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2003

The state of Vermont recently submitted a 254-page report to the Bureau of Indian Affairs opposing federal recognition for the Abenaki Tribe.

The December 2002 report, prepared by state attorney general William H. Sorrell, is in response to the tribe's petition for federal status. The tribe applied in 1982 and is on the BIA's "ready for consideration" list but so are at least a dozen others.

In 1976, Vt. Gov. Thomas Salmon recognized the tribe but Gov. Richard Snelling rescinded the decision the following year.

Get the Story:
Vermont's Abenakis seek formal tribal recognition (The Brattleboro Reformer 3/27)

Relevant Documents:
State of Vermont's Response to Petition for Federal Acknowledgment of the St. Francis/Sokoki Band of the Abenaki Nation of Vermont (December 2002)

Related Stories:
Vt. tribe seeks recognition and respect (12/09)
Abenaki Tribe defends recognition (03/08)
Abenaki Tribe fights opposition to status (1/21)
Gov. urges against Abenaki recognition (1/18)