Bill Text: NH HCR7 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-22 - Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/22/2023 House Journal 6 P. 14 [HCR7 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2023-HCR7-Introduced.html
HCR 7 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0685
08/10
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 7
A RESOLUTION recognizing the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.
SPONSORS: Rep. S. Gould, Merr. 8; Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6; Rep. Ebel, Merr. 7; Rep. Caplan, Merr. 8; Rep. Bolton, Graf. 8; Rep. Granger, Straf. 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill recognizes the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuck Abenaki Nation.
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23-0685
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
A RESOLUTION recognizing the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.
Whereas, the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation is tied to Phillip who granted lands to his good friend Thomas Eames in 1796 that included most of what is now Coos County which is filed in the New Hampshire State archives along with dispositions stating that Phillip was a chief living there with his Band at the time of arrival of the first European settlers; and
Whereas, the traditional homeland of the Nulhegan Abenaki Band extended from Lake Memphremagog to Lake Umbagog, crossing what became current state borders; and
Whereas, archaeological reports through carbon dating have shown the Abenaki people to be in existence in New Hampshire dating back 13,000 years and on the Androscoggin River in the state as late as 1790; and
Whereas, the Nulhegan Abenaki Band continued to exist throughout the 19th and 20th century documented as “gypsy bands” of Indians traveling around New Hampshire selling their baskets and trading horses as extensively recorded in the eugenic records in Vermont as well as newspaper articles and local diaries in New Hampshire; and
Whereas, the existence of the Nulhegan Abenaki Band has been recognized since 2011 as one of four Bands recognized by the state of Vermont after a rigorous review of the tribe’s genealogical and historical records showing the current members are Indian descendants of the tribe; the grant of 1796 included a part of the Northeast Kingdom of that state; about one third of the citizens of the tribe reside in New Hampshire; the tribe has retained appropriate records and historical documentation; and other similar criteria; and
Whereas, citizens of the Nulhegan Abenaki Band residing in New Hampshire have expressed the desire, through their leadership, for greater autonomy and local authority to deal with issues affecting tribal citizens resident in New Hampshire and have represented that they have no intent in making land claims or operating commercial gaming; and
Whereas, among these local issues are housing, health care, and education, sale of their arts and crafts as Indian made, permitted hunting and fishing, agreements to gather plants and materials central to their culture on state lands; and
Whereas, the preservation of tribal identity, culture, and tradition is also a concern of the leadership of the Nulhegan Abenaki Band; and
Whereas, historic state recognition of the Nulhegan Abenaki Band would greatly enhance the ability of the tribe to preserve their tribal culture and address pressing local problems affecting tribal members resident in New Hampshire through enhanced communication with state agencies as a state recognized tribe, and access to federal housing programs that provide funding for tribes and tribal citizens, and protection under the federal arts and crafts legislation for native artists who want to market their work as native-made; and
Whereas, at least 16 other states have recognized their resident indigenous people as Native American Indian tribes without any of those tribes previously or subsequently acquiring federal recognition, it has been shown that recognition by a state is not a step to meeting the difficult criteria required for obtaining federal recognition by the United States Department of the Interior ; and
Whereas, any state-recognized Native American Indian tribe and their citizens will continue to be subject to all laws of the state, and recognition shall not be construed to create any basis or authority for tribes to establish or promote any form of prohibited gambling activity afforded only to federally recognized tribes or to claim any interest in land or real estate in New Hampshire; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That historic state recognition is given to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation whose traditional homelands include New Hampshire in order to recognize their historic and cultural contributions to New Hampshire, to promote and strengthen their own heritage, and to further their needs through state policy and programs; and, be it further resolved
That the house clerk transmit copies of this resolution to the tribe, all state government department heads and each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.
