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Abenaki Recognition: Who Gives A Hoot?
Abenaki Recognition:
Who Gives A Hoot?
by Wise Owl
I am a person who throughout my life has straddled many worlds. One of these worlds has been in working for the civil rights of the GBLT Community. When the Vermont Supreme Court ruling first came down in favor of equality for same-sex couples – I felt distance from the issue. I had no personal desire to have a same-sex union recognized by the state. As the debate heated over what came to be Civil Unions transpired I was moved to act by the reactions I witnessed by my fellow Vermonters.
Being a native born Vermonter I had never heard such hatred and prejudice directed towards any group. I prayed and mediated on the climate of hate that was oozing into open dialogue. Some of the statements included, “Vermonters shovel shit they don’t pack it,” and the reiteration of the perennial stereotype that all gay people are voracious sexual predators with a palate particularly for children. In my reflections I could not wonder if this type of ‘hate’ atmosphere was not unlike what happened in Nazi Germany. Vermont had become a place not familiar with my childhood of tolerance and acceptance. I decided that responsibility for the hate rested on all of us collectively. I decided to take action and became active in the Freedom to Marry Taskforce.
Recently, I have been greatly disturbed by the ‘disinformation’ promulgated by some our state officials regarding the controversy around state recognition of the Abenaki Tribe. Fear is being stirred up that the Abenaki will steal our land and change the entire climate of Vermont with gambling casinos. These statements have no basis in fact, and are not dissimilar from those who predicted that Civil Unions would make Vermont a gay mecca and somehow ruin the State!
Not only am I a native born Vermonter I have native blood in my family tree as do so many French Canadians (as well as others) who hail from Northern Vermont and Southern Quebec. Certainly, most of you who read my words have read or seen the some of the media recently about this issue.
In the past many injustices have been done by people in the name of God, or from greed and fear of those different than themselves. The GBLT community has been a recipient; another example is the well-documented genocidal behavior towards all native people in North America.
Now that Vermont has become a leader in gay civil rights for the country let us not ignore others in our own back yard who strive for recognition. The Abenaki have been coming out of their closet just as the GBLT community has been striving to be who we are in pride and dignity in our communities.
As I write this we stand between the horrific events of 9/11 and on the precipice of an all out Middle Eastern War. Long-term hate based on the lack of justice and economic divisions needs to be addressed to soothe the deeds of the past. At this time, shouldn’t members of the GLBT community join with the Abenaki community in the struggle to be recognized and cherished? In doing so we enrich the great diverstiy of this wonderful State of Vermont.
Thank you for hearing my hooting.
Wise Owl lives in Franklin County.