I am basically reposting a letter I wrote to the Board of Indian Affairs in regards to federal recognization for Vermont's Abenakis.
I haven't mentioned but I happen to be a member of the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation. We were granted statewide recognition about 2 years ago and we have tried for federal recognition with no luck.
Supposedly, a letter writing campaign is underway and I, after years of frustration with the current "chief" and her efforts to minimize and divide members of our tribe, have decided to speak out. Certain parts of this letter have been blacked out for privacy reasons.