Re: Env.Law Conf: DESCRIPTION
Arthur J. Ruben (ajruben@igc.apc.org)
Sun, 28 Feb 1993 15:38:00 PST
Greetings from Missisquoi, in the so-called state of Vermont. This is the
ancestral homeland of the Eastern Abenaki people. Today the Abenaki of
Missisquoi continue their struggle to protect and promote their unique
indigenous culture, in the face oa racist oppresion from the State author-
ities. This note is to request that all activists working on Native issues
become aware of the Abenaki plight and act to help us. We have heard about
hte conference in Oregon and would greatly appreciate a chance to atttend
and discuss our unique and critical situation. Recentlythe State of Vermont
Supreme Court decided our aborigianl rights had been extinguished overtwo hun-
dred years ago by "the increasing weight of history". After spending more
than $15000, raised from supporters, the U.S. Supreme Court recently decided
not to hear our appeal of this racist and ominious State court opinion.
We are requesting an opportunity to meet with other native leaders and legal
technians in an effort to work quickly to protect our heritage and culture.
Please contact the Abenaki Tribal Council at po box 276, Missisquoi (Swanton.
Vermont) 05488 or at (802)868-7146/2559. We would appreciate an opportunity
to have our voice heard at the Oregon conference. thank you.