In December, we are in the last month of the Gregorian calendar year, the chronological construct that orders the modern Western world. This calendar has its origins in the cycles of the sky beings - Sun, Moon, Stars, and Earth herself - but, as with many other aspects of our cohabitation, we have drifted far away from those intimate connections.

The original headline for this Seven Days article "Caught in the Cross Fire | Fighting between Québécois and Vermont Abenaki tribes puts conservation groups in a bind" and the now-shortened "Fighting Between Québécois and Vermont Abenaki Tribes Puts Conservation Groups in a Bind" is both telling and misleading, an all-too-common media proclivity.

Awhile back, Atowi Co-Director Rich Holschuh joined an interview with Root Words podcast producer Stephen Abatiell of the Shrewsbury Agricultural Education and Arts Foundation. Recently, Stephen included a part of that conversation in a new episode - Part 3 of a 5-part miniseries entitled Restoring Relationships.

What passes as “history”…

At the 25th convening of the Annual Vermont Journal of Environmental Law Symposium, held at its home base of Vermont Law & Graduate School in S. Royalton, VT on Saturday, November 18th, 2023, Atowi co-director Rich Holschuh was asked to offer a Land Recognition statement.

Working with Barbara Schultz from the Town of Springfield’s Trail Committee, Atowi contributed an audio file linked to a QR code, relating Native heritage and Abenaki vocabulary within the narrative provided on the signage. A webpage is in development with this information also.

Invited by Zack Porter and our good friends at Standing Trees, Atowi recently contributed to a documentary film that was featured as part of the 2023 Nature For Life Hub.

In this week's episode of Vermontitude host Peter "Fish" Case chats with Rich Holschuh, chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and co-director of the Atowi Project. They discuss the names Wantastegok vs. Brattleboro and the meaning of this month with the opportunity to learn more at www.atowi.org

October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day – an opportunity for all Americans to acknowledge the resilience and diversity of Native cultures in the United States, and celebrate the contributions of those who have been in relationship with the Land long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. We are the four Western Abenaki tribes recognized by the State of Vermont: Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi, Elnu Abenaki Tribe, Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, and Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.

The seventh month of the Abenaki lunar calendar is the Grass Cutter Moon, following the preceding sixth month of Nokahigas, the Hoer Moon.

The sixth moon of the Abenaki lunar calendar is the Hoer Moon, following the planting moon (fifth moon) of Kikas, the Field Maker Moon. This is the time when the new sprouts of the year’s planting appreciate some nurturing care, amid the competition of their warming rush toward the sun.

The very first question draws its basis directly from US Census parameters, using self-identification, race, and reductive classification. If this [completely colonized methodology] is not one’s frame of reference, the survey kicks the respondent out immediately.

The fifth month of the Abenaki annual cycle – Kikas – is appearing now. The darkness of the new moon following Sogalikas (the fourth month) is with us tonight on April 20, 2023, here in Sokwakik

Vermont recently announced the three commissioners of its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a group tasked with examining issues of racism, discrimination, and eugenics in state laws and policies, both historically and today.

As members of a marginalized community with homelands in what is now known as Vermont for more than 12,000 years, the Abenaki Alliance supports the intention of the Commission and stands with the commissioners as they embark upon a journey of research, review, and policy recommendations over the next three years.

The following press release from joint Native communities and individuals was coordinated and distributed statewide this past week: A long-awaited opportunity to move forward after 500+ years of cultural annihilation

With the change of the most recent new moon on March 21, 2023 in Sokwakik, we are now well into Sogalikas, the Sugar Maker Moon, fourth in the lunar year. This moon will peak with a full face on April 6th.

Today, March 20th of 2023 on the Gregorian calendar, the sun’s journey marks the return of SIgwan - the Spring - to the north country. On this day the travel of Nmahom Kizos-Grandfather Sun across the sky matches that of Nokomes Kizos-Grandmother Moon, with day and night, lightness and darkness, being of equal duration - in balance - at the belly of Nigawes Akik-Mother Earth.

The just-released Vermont Ski + Ride Magazine Winter/Spring 2023 issue has an article on page 57 devoted to Abenaki cultural approaches through language. Featured are place-based linguistic relationships with peaks in the Green Mountain range, now well-known by other names in English through the overlay of colonization, and seen as recreational destinations for winter sports and summer hiking.

Here’s a formative idea (not claiming to have originated this but exploring it anew): the historicity of "Vermont" reflects its position as fulfilling the culmination of the British Colonial experiment (the realization of "New England"). Several examples readily come to mind and can be explored elsewhere.

Testimony offered in support of H.126 on Feb. 21, 2023, before the VT House Committee on Environment & Energy, with Chair Amy Sheldon.