Resolution: Abenaki Land Acknowledgement and Land Use Rights

To celebrate the Centennial, the City of Winooski has created a Land Acknowledgment and Land Use Rights resolution in partnership with the Abenaki community. In doing so, the City of Winooski sees this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the shameful history of harm done to indigenous people, to be humbled by the total scope of our history which predates municipal incorporation; and to create a meaningful partnership with the Abenaki people who were the first inhabitants of this land. This resolution was signed and adopted by Winooski City Council on May 2, 2022.

Whereas, the Indigenous peoples of Vermont were the first inhabitants of this land; and

Whereas, Winooski is located within Ndakinna (in-DAH-kee-NAH), the homeland of the Western Abenaki people, and is named after the original Abenaki word ‘Winoskitekw’, or ‘onion land river’, in relation to the Winooski River in Vermont; and

Whereas, using Indigenous names is an important step towards addressing the erasure of Indigenous presence from the landscape

Whereas, in 2022, the City of Winooski celebrates our centennial, marking 100 years as a municipality; and

Whereas, we see this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the shameful history of harm done to indigenous people, to be humbled by the total scope of our history which predates municipal incorporation; and

Whereas, the City seeks to create a meaningful, permanent partnership with the Abenaki people;

Now be it Resolved, the City of Winooski formally acknowledges that this community was built upon the unceded land of the Abenaki people, and we recognize that the Abenaki people, their culture, and their experiences are fundamental to the existence and culture of our city.

Be it further resolved, a version of this Land Acknowledgement shall be read during the opening of our Community Birthday Party on June 4, 2022, followed by the raising of the Abenaki flag in Rotary Park, and included in full as a dedicated section on the City’s website(s).

Be it further resolved, The City of Winooski hereby affirms the following land use rights in perpetuity for Abenaki Citizens enrolled in Abenaki tribes recognized by the Vermont State Statutes (Title 1, Chapter 23, §§ 851 – 856):

A. The right to sustainably harvest wild ramps (onions), fiddleheads, fungi, and any culturally important plants and/or plant parts in any park or natural area in Winooski. Adoption of this Resolution constitutes the prior approval required by City Ordinance Section 16.08.

B. Upon future completion of a public hearing and ordinance amendment, the right to have all fees associated with renting City facilities waived for ceremonies, programs, and any other culturally important events (per Section 28.05 of the City Ordinance).

Be it further resolved, the City of Winooski shall work in partnership with the official Abenaki leadership on all future forest management plans for Winooski’s natural areas. Be it further resolved, the City of Winooski is hereby committed to working with members of the Abenaki community to rename Memorial Park and the trails within using words and phrases from Abenaki language.