ALNOBAK NEWS COW ASS NORTH AMERICA INCORPORATED 160 DAILEY DRIVE, FRANKLIN, MA 02038-2951 (508) 528-7629 ALNOBAK NEWS - SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 - VOLUME 94 ISSUE 5 - PAGE 1 *** NEWS LETTER COMMENTS *** Globe. Yvonne Daley (9/4/94) are noted. So much is happening and so quickly that we can not keep up. The newsletter is fast goinff from a monthly format to a quarterly *•* FIRST LIGHT GATHERING **♦ wrap-up report. In some ways this will work out for the better considering the The First Light Gathering was held on the many things that we are involved in and weekend of September 3-5 in Athens, Maine. the reporting time that we need to hear The gathering was represented by Abenaki from our far removed families. families from all over the United States and Canada. The Cowasuck Band made a good Many people have given us great reviews effort to participant in the gathering. on the spirit and contents of the Possibly the furthest distance traveled for newsletter. We will continue work towards our people was Doris Nickles and family the goal of making this the communication members that came from California. newtwork for all of our People. Due to printing and postage expenses (which amount to over $1.00 each) we will *♦* FISH-IN PROTEST **» be requesting donations to assist us or else we will have to limt free subscriptions to About 200 people participated in a protest Band members and other tribal fish-in on the Missisquoi River in S wanton, organizations. Vermont on Saturday, September 10th. Game wardens issued 93 fishing violation -m- -W— citations to people that did not have licenses. This event was staged to bring *** ABENAKI DENIED RECOGNITION *** attention to Missisquoi Band demands to return their aboriginal rights to fish. On August 22nd Vermont Governor Howard Dean announced the rejection of "limited Several New England newspapers reported recognition" for the Abenaki. The on this matter. The Burlington Free Press. Governor's Advisory Commission on Native Richard Cowperthwait (8/24/94) and Boston American Affairs, which requested the Globe. Yvonne Daley (9/4/94) are noted. recognition in June, reacted with dismay at the Governor’s decision. Members of the OcS-HV CXt-^O^ Commission were concerned that this action would deny the Abenaki of cultural, ** VERMONT LIFE & VERMONT MAGAZINE ** educational, and economic benefits that are given to recognized Native American groups. Recent issues of Vermont Life and Vermont Magazine contained feature articles on the A spokesman for Dean stated that he Abenaki People. In depth and personal received a legal opinion that there is no stories about several of our friends were such thing as "limited recognition." It was included. The stories were very well done furthermore noted that any recognition - including many photographs and personal would also open other issues - such as land interviews. claims and gambling interests. "Return of the Natives", Vermont Life, Several New England newspapers reported Yvonne Daley, Autumn 1994. on this matter. The Burlington Free Press. "The First Vermonters", Vermont Magazine. Richard Cowperthwait (8/24/94) and Boston Richard Ewald, December 1994. ALNOBAK NEWS - SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 - VOLUME 94 ISSUE 5 - PAGE 2 *** MANVILLE HERITAGE DAYS **» utensil carving, bead work, black power weapons, hide tanning, and candle making. On the weekend of September 24-25 the Voices of Creation and several Cowasuck Drumming, singing and dancing was held People participated in the Manvilley Rhode each night around our social fire that was Island heritage days celebration. A wigwam setup within the camp site. Much to Tom's was constructed and detailed with the food, (Thorndike & Bea M'Sadoques) surprise we herbs, tools, and other items to reflect the honored him with a special POW WOW style . daily life of an Abenaki of that time period. birthday song. Several skills and crafts projects were demonstrated during the event. Fire During the gathering we had several guests starting, rope making, bead work, story that came from the Pequot and Narragansett telling and herbal discussions highlighted Nations. They were welcomed and joined in the presentations. our celebrations of feasting and singing. We give a special thank you to Bonnie, *** TRIBES MEET IN WASHINGTON **♦ ^ Rich, and the whole Manfredi family for making us welcome to use their beautiful This September, representatives from farm for our gathering. several un-recognized tribal groups, including Abenaki representatives, were invited to meet with the Bureau of Indian **» STEVE LAURENT HONORED *** Affairs in Washington, D.C. to discuss inter­ governmental relations. Several tribal groups met at the Abenaki Trading Post in Intervale, New Hampshire This action was taken in response to on October 30th. The Dawnland AUiance, numerous complaints that previous meetings Cowasuck Band, New Hampshire Inter-tribal this year between Native Nations and the Association and other Abenaki People United States were restricted to only those gathered to honor and assist Abenaki elder tribes that are recognized by the BIA. Steve Laurent to close up the Trading Post facilities for winter. Much of the work centered on repairs of the traditional »** COWASUCK GATHERING *** structures and the winterizing of the other buildings. The Cowasuck Band held a traditional gathering on the weekend of October 21-22 We feasted and sang in honor of Steve at the Manfredi Farm in Westerly, Rhode during breaks in our work. We all enjoyed Island. The theme of the gathering was the beautiful fall weather and the traditional living and skHls. friendship of one another. We parted with promises to work together in the future. Wetues (wigwams) were constructed on the site to demonstrate building techniques. Several of the youth used these structures *** FOOD PANTRY - ON THE MOVE *** during the gathering. The Franklin Food Pantry continues to A cooking fire pit was prepared for the function in spite of many difficult operating communal cooking that was provided problems. The Pantry was originally throughout the weekend. Many traditional operated from the basement of the Franklin foods were prepared using smoked fish, Senior Center. Last year the Town of venison, game birds, several types of Franklin got funding to refurbish the squash, beans, corn, wild rice, berries, and center with a grant that had conditions nuts. that the Pantry would be relocated in the new facilities. Craft and skills demonstrations showed open fire cooking, fire starting, rope making, stone pipe work, pipe stem making, wooden ALNOBAK NEWS - SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1994 - VOLUME 94 ISSUE 5 - PAGE 3 As a result the Pantry was forced to move America. It should be noted that our Band and temporarily share a bank owned vacant also donated $1,500 to the Franklin Youth buildingr with a local Baptist Church. This Center Project this year. q shared arrangement worked fine for about a year but the church found a permanent oQpo home and the Pantry was left alone. WOMEN'S CIRCLES »*» ^ The original schedule for the repairs called The Alnobak Women's Circles met on for completion in early 1994. The deadline November 12th and December 3rd. A moon for the opening has been continuously lodge has been setup for ceremonial delayed on a month to month basis purposes in Franklin. The women have throughout the year. The bank grew weary found that the lodge is large enough for of the delays and finally asked that the meeting with the other Women's Circles of Pantry vacate the building by November the region. So far the Massachusetts, 6th. Rhode Island and Connecticut groups have met this Fall. A comprehensive program of With no where to go we got several of our women's medicine and spirituality is being Band people together with their trucks and developed and shared between the groups. vans to pack and move the food and Future meetings will be held on Saturdays equipment. Arrangements were made for on the new moon. temporary storage for everything until we could develop an emergency operating plan. For information please contact Linda Pouliot at (508) 528-7629. During our packing a gentleman who saw our moving efforts, asked us what was the matter with the Pantry. When we explained »*» WORCESTER ART MUSEUM *** our problem to him he immediately gave us $500 to rent a storage trailer. As a result An exhibit of Native American art and of his fantastic gift we have rented a culture has been on display in the trailer and the St. Mary’s Church has Worcester (Massachusetts) Art Museum since allowed us to set it up on their property. late September. Each weekend special presentations and demonstrations have been The Pantry will continue to distribute food, made to highlight the exhibit. Abenaki food gift certificates, and aid through the People from all Bands have been involved holidays. The Paumtry hours will be with the exhibit. Thursdays 6:30 - 7:30 pm., Fridays 9:00-10:30 am., and Saturdays 9:00-10:30 am. The opening night ceremonies featured the We hope to be in the renovated Town Voice of Creation Drum which is comprised Senior Center by the first of the year. All of Abenaki People from all over New requests for food, clothing, or other England. Jeanne Brink (Missisquoi) made a assistance should be directed through presentation on basket making in October. COW ASS North America until the Center is The Iron River Singers (Abenaki back in operation. Donations of food, Wampanoag) were the host drum on clothing, money, and volunteer help should November 13th. also be directed through us, contact Linda Pouliot for details. During the November family day event on the 13th, members of the Cowasuck Band For those that do not know about our were invited to setup an educational community services projects, the Franklin presentation.