Koasek Abenaki Tribe
Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation | |
| Named after | Abenaki word for "young pine tree",[1] Abenaki people |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2019 (Koasek of Turtle Island)[2] |
| Founded at | Weare, New Hampshire[2] |
| Type | state-recognized tribe, nonprofit organizations |
| EIN 83-2894972 [2] | |
| Legal status | arts, culture, and humanities nonprofit; charity[2] |
| Purpose | A23: Cultural, Ethnic Awareness[2] |
| Location | |
Official language | English |
| Website | koasekabenakination |
The Koasek Abenaki Tribe, also known as the Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, is a state-recognized tribe in Vermont,[4] who claim descent from Abenaki people.
They are not federally recognized as a Native American tribe.[4] Neither Vermont nor New Hampshire has any federally recognized Native American tribes.[4]
Name
The term Koasek is an Abenaki language term that translates as "young pine tree."[1]
The organization also goes by the name Koasek (Cowasuck) Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation.[5]
State-recognition
Vermont recognized the Koasek Abenaki Tribe as in 2012.[6] The other state-recognized tribes in Vermont are the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, Elnu Abenaki Tribe, and the Mississquoi Abenaki Tribe.[4]
Nonprofit organization
In 2019, the group created Koasek of Turtle Island, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Weare, New Hampshire.[2] Their registered agent is Paul Joseph Bunnell, located in Alstead, New Hampshire.[3]
Their mission statement is "The Koasek of Turtle Island Inc. is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of our Native culture in our traditional ways regarding our ancient territory."[3]
Their board of trustees are:
- Paul Bunnell, Weare, New Hampshire, president
- Patrick Michaud, Preston, Connecticut, director
- Kristina Martindale, Bandon, Oregon, director
- Michael Byers, La Crosse, Wisconsin, director
- Sandra McGrath, Fancy Farm, Kentucky, director.[7]
The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources states that the organization's leader is Arthur Hanchett, based in Fort Mills, Vermont.[5]
Heritage
The Koasek Abenaki Tribe are one of four state-recognized tribes in Vermont. They had 60 members in 2016.[8]
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]
In 2002, the State of Vermont reported that the Abenaki people had migrated north to Quebec by the end of the 17th century.[9]
Activities
They participate in Abenaki Heritage Weekend, held at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont.[10]
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.[11]
Notable members
- Billy Kidd, former alpine ski racer[12]
Notes
- ^ a b Laurent, Joseph (1884). New Familiar Abenakis and English Dialogues. Quebec City, QC: Léger Brousseau. p. 208.
- ^ a b c d e f "Koasek of Turtle Island". Cause IQ. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Koasek of Turtle Island". 501c3 Lookup. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Federal and State Recognized Tribes". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Project Review and Compliance". New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ a b Darryl Leroux, Distorted Descent, page 246.
- ^ "FORM 1023-EZ for Koasek OF Turtle Island Inc". 501c3Lookup. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Evancie, Angela (November 4, 2016). "Abenaki Native Americans In Vermont Today?". Brave Little State. Vermont Public News. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Dillon, John. "State Says Abenaki Do Not Have "Continuous Presence"". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "2019 Abenaki Heritage Weekend". Crazy Crow. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "H.556". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Boyd, Janet. "Famous Abenaki - Snow Riders". www.snow-riders.org. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
References
- Leroux, Darryl (2019). Distorted Descent: White Claims to Indigenous Identity. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press. ISBN 978-0887558979.