Elnu Abenaki Tribe
State-recognized tribe in Vermont, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Elnu Abenaki Tribe is a state-recognized tribe in Vermont,[3] who claim descent from Abenaki people. They are not federally recognized as a Native American tribe.[3] Vermont has no federally recognized tribes.[3] They are the smallest of Vermont's four state-recognized tribes with 60 members in 2016.[2] The Odanak First Nation in Quebec regards it as a fraudulent organization.[4][5]
| Formation | 2020 (Elnu Abenaki Incorporated)[1] |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Brattleboro, Vermont[1] |
| Type | state-recognized tribe, nonprofit organizations |
| Tax ID no. | EIN 84-3882521[1] |
| Legal status | arts, culture, and humanities nonprofit; charity[1] |
| Purpose | A23: Cultural, Ethnic Awareness[1] |
| Headquarters | Jamaica, Vermont |
| Location | |
| Members | 60[2] (2016) |
Official language | English |
| Website | elnuabenakitribe |
State recognition
Vermont recognized the Elnu Abenaki Tribe as a state-recognized tribe in 2011.[6] The other state-recognized tribes in Vermont are the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, Koasek Abenaki Tribe, and the Mississquoi Abenaki Tribe.[3]
Nonprofit organization
In 2020, the group created 'Elnu Abenaki Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Brattleboro, Vermont.[1] Their registered agent is Rich Holshuh.[7]
Heritage
St. Mary's University associate professor Darryl Leroux's genealogical and historical research found that the members of this and the other three state-recognized tribes in Vermont were composed primarily of "French descendants who have used long-ago ancestry in New France to shift into an 'Abenaki' identity."[6]
The State of Vermont reported in 2002 that the Abenaki people migrated north to Quebec at the end of the 18th century.[8]
Activities
They participate in Abenaki Heritage Weekend, held at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont.[9]
Property tax
Vermont H.556, "An act relating to exempting property owned by Vermont-recognized Native American tribes from property tax," passed on April 20, 2022.[10]