Wantastegok Sacred Site Protection
Join us to help protect this exceptional sacred site which is at urgent risk of development and disturbance. It is going on the open market and we need to move quickly! We trust that we can raise $150,000 from this public campaign, and $200,000 offline in grantmaking.
For thousands of years, the Original People of this region have visited, lived, and been laid to rest at the confluence of the Wantastekw (West River) and Kwenitekw (Connecticut River), in what is now known as Brattleboro, VT. The significance of this place as sacred, both holding balance and exchanging Spirit, is acknowledged by the rare presence of petroglyphs - submerged due to hydro development over 100 years ago - and historically documented Indigenous burials.
With the adjacent riverbank now under threat of development and extensive disturbance, Elnu Abenaki Tribe (Vermont state-recognized) with Atowi Project in partnership with Vermont Land Trust, is raising the funds to purchase the 2 acre parcel on the open market. This is a one-time opportunity to return this Land to a vital and reciprocal relationship, and for us to learn together here in community.
Physical mailing address: Elnu Abenaki Inc, 117 Fuller Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Questions may be directed to: elnuabenakiinc@gmail.com
All funds raised will go toward the acquisition and preservation of this place. We now have a bridge loan guarantee to assure a final closing, but we trust that donations will allow us to do so without carrying debt.
Kchi wliwni - with great thanks!.