BREAKING News – H.880 “An act relating to Abenaki place names on State park signs” was unanimously passed in the Vermont House of Representatives. The bill as written would require the Commissioner of Forests and Parks and Recreation to cooperate with Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs in the replacement of signs for lands and places so that they include Abenaki signage.
As it is currently written and suggested:
Ҥ 2613. ABENAKI PLACE NAMES IN STATE PARKS(a) The Commissioner, before installing new signs or replacing existing signs in a State park, shall consult with the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs to determine if there is an Abenaki name for any site within the park. If the Commission on Native American Affairs advises the Commissioner of an Abenaki name, the Abenaki name shall be displayed with the English name.(b) On or before July 1, 2025, all existing signs in State parks with Abenaki names shall be replaced to include the Abenaki name.(c) The Commissioner shall adopt rules establishing a procedure for selecting spelling of the place name if there are multiple spellings provided by the Commission on Native American Affairs.
“JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE 1428 Sec. 2. LIST OF PLACES WITH ABENAKI NAMES
“On or before January 15, 2021, the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs shall prepare a list of places and landmarks with Abenaki names. The list shall state if there are multiple names or spelling variations for a place. The Commission shall present the list to the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation in order to facilitate the construction of signs as required under 10 V.S.A. § 2613. The Commission shall also determine if there are sites outside of State parks with Abenaki names that require new signs.
“Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
“This act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.”
Learn more: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/H.880?fbclid=IwAR0t7Bnr992AeRaiN3qmIKrBdSeunULjLtc2bsNwwGmdmybh3bS7ay0Bi-w
Author: Vermont General Assembly https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/H.880?fbclid=IwAR0t7Bnr992AeRaiN3qmIKrBdSeunULjLtc2bsNwwGmdmybh3bS7ay0Bi-w
Image courtesy from our sister organization, Vermont Abenaki Artist Association on Facebook.