HB161

The Commission should be for all NH Native peoples. This bill would exclude many; it is poorly conceived and unfair

Why is a NH legislature thinking they should decide what happens within a tribal nation? That's overstepping their roles, they have no sovereignty over tribal affairs nor the ability to decide who is native by if they are on rolls or blood quantum amounts. That's up to the individual nations. Even the federal government of the United State of America Dept of Interior says: What are tribal membership requirements? Tribal enrollment criteria are set forth in tribal constitutions, articles of incorporation or ordinances. The criterion varies from tribe to tribe, so uniform membership requirements do not exist. (https://www.doi.gov/tribes/enrollment) It does go onto say some of the jargon they are trying to use in a bill, but again NH House/Legislature isn't the Abenaki Nation and doesn't have sovereignty over deciding what happens within that nation. They need to step back and not violate the civil rights of individual native american nations that were governing themselves long before the State of New Hampshire was even called the State of New Hampshire.

Dear Committee Members, As an ally of the Ko'asek Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation, and friend of this tribe's members, I can't even imagine why this bill is even suggested. The Ko'aseks have an established tribal council, mission, agenda, and provide educational and cultural programs to the area as an independent organization. They steward their own property and invite the public to participate in many interesting and culturally significant events. They have the right to stand on their own, as well as the Pennacooks and any other tribe in NH. This is not right. If the tribes want to join together voluntarily, that should be their right, too. But to legislate this would be like legislating a marriage between two people. Not o.k. I encourage you to get to know the indigenous people of NH. They are proud and self-sufficient social organizations that can care for their own needs. Otherwise, the legislature is following the age old practice of oppression and white supremacy. Aren't we beyond that in this day and age? Please oppose HB 161. We can't go back.

The New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs is supposed to be representative of all Native Community members but they way the bill is written it appears that only Native Community Members who are enrolled in the VT state recognized tribes qualify. Native Community Members from across Turtle Island live in NH but they would be banned for the membership of this state commission. Please oppose passage of this bill.

This is possibly a power trip to silence and subjugate New Hampshire tribes, to me. Since the New Hampshire and Vermont tribes did not agree on this together, then it should not be passed. Respect the peoples voices. New Hampshire has its own destinct indigenous people and culture different from Vermont. As an Abenaki language speaking Abenaki person, i can see it clearly within the Abenaki language.

From what I can see, this bill is not only a waste of NH legislator's time, it also attempts to discredit and deny the valuable work the actual Native American Commission has been doing over the past three years. If the Commission is to succeed in it's work, it must be allowed to do its job without unnecessary restriction or unqualified oversight, and it must be allowed to represent ALL native tribes, not just Vermont Abenaqui members who happen to be living in New Hampshire and seem to have an obsession with promoting Native crafts and handiwork. This proposal should be deemed inexpedient to legislate, in my opinion.

The NH Commission on Native American Affairs opposes HB161. I concur with their opposition. This bill prevents tribal leadership, their spouses, parents or children from participating and relinquishes State sovereignty to the VT Tribes for the appointment process without recourse by NH Lawmakers. This violates their constitutional rights and Title 25 - the section of the Code of Federal Regulations that governs Government-to-Government relations with Native American tribes within the United States.

Too exclusive !

In creating the Commission, the State of New Hampshire has a civic and legal obligation to uphold the sovereignty of NH tribes. While modern state borders are arbitrary in terms of cultural groups, they have become extremely real in how members of the public are able to access healthcare, education, food, etc. VT Abenaki cultural members should be allowed to be present for where their ancestry comes from, but NH as a State has a duty to keep a seat on the commission to ensure that it is the residents of the State of New Hampshire who are first and foremost addressed by and protected by the New Hampshire Commission on Native Affairs. Allowing VT residents to hold a seat on a 7 seat commission while barring the tribal leaders of NH's family from participating opens the door for a commission that caters to the needs of a state next door, and not the people on its own soil, who have been there far longer than the 1600s settling of colonists.

This bill is a disgrace and completely sells out indigenous folks in NH.

I believe this bill would be detrimental to the NH Native Commission and oppose it. Thanks!

This is harmful! Why would you think to change what is in place now? Keep VT out of NH

Dear Committee Members, I strongly oppose HB161. History has shown us time and again that Native voices have been marginalized, erased, and excluded from the very conversations that affect their lives, their heritage, and their future. We must not allow history to repeat itself. The commission was established to ensure that Native American communities in New Hampshire have a voice in policy decisions that impact them directly. Any effort to alter its membership must be examined through the lens of equity, representation, and justice. New Hampshire’s Indigenous communities deserve a seat at the table, not as a courtesy, but as a fundamental right. Their history, traditions, and perspectives are integral to our state’s cultural fabric. Silencing or diminishing their representation would be an unacceptable step backward. I urge you to stand on the right side of history and oppose HB161 because it weakens the voice of Nee Hampshire’s Native American tribes on this commission. Thank you for your time and for considering the importance of true representation in our government. Sincerely, Lynn Lippitt

Dear Chair McGuire and Members of the Committee: My name is Jennifer Kretovic, and I serve as a City Councilor in Concord. However, my testimony today is my own and does not represent the City Council. I am also a volunteer among many community organizations intent on telling our state's authentic and important history. I am here today to voice my strong opposition to any changes that would diminish Native American representation on the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs. History has shown us time and again that Native voices have been marginalized, erased, and excluded from the very conversations that affect their lives, their heritage, and their future. We must not allow history to repeat itself. The commission was established to ensure that Native American communities in New Hampshire have a voice in policy decisions that impact them directly. Any effort to alter its membership must be examined through the lens of equity, representation, and justice. New Hampshire’s Indigenous communities deserve a seat at the table, not as a courtesy, but as a fundamental right. Their history, traditions, and perspectives are integral to our state’s cultural fabric. Silencing or diminishing their representation would be an unacceptable step backward. I urge you to stand on the right side of history and oppose any changes that would weaken the Native American voice on this commission. Thank you for your time and for considering the importance of true representation in our government. Sincerely, Jennifer Kretovic, Concord

This bill proposes changes that violate constitutional rights, bans participation for NH tribes and would increase costs to implement. Please vote in opposition to this bill.

This bill makes no sense to me. Why would native tribes in NH, be removed from the commission? Are they not NH residents, too? We do our Native American tribes in NH injustice by not allowing a representative on the commission. We must stop this hate within our NH House of Representatives. All residents need to be represented in our state government. I believe the state of NH is setting itself up for a costly lawsuit from tribal associations because I understand that this bill violates citizens constitutional rights to participate in government, including a commission seat. If nothing else, passing this bill will cost NH taxpayers legal fees for any lawsuits that Native American associations bring against it.

Rather than making a compelling case against the NH Commission on Native American Affairs, this bill blatantly pushes a not-so-hidden agenda as yet another attempt to allow Vermont tribes to "govern" NH. Tell me what is wrong with the current parameters of the NH Commission on Native American Affairs. Tell me why it NEEDS to be replaced. Thank you for your time.

Poorly conceived bill and will exclude many.

Being a Native American in NH, I feel that the NH Native Commission should be here in NH not represented by people from VT. We are here and I know that there are many of us here. Leave the commission in place to represent the people of NH. I had friends that helped form this commission and they did so because it was needed for the Native Americans that are here.

I oppose this bill.

I'm a lifelong learner and committed to full access to written materials in the schools.

The Commission should be for all NH Native peoples. This bill would exclude many; it is poorly conceived and unfair.