VCNAA Commissioner Barratt Displays Resentment

Feb. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brad Barratt and I am a member of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs. My reasoning behind this email is to express my concerns over a bill that is currently circulating regarding recognition, known as S.0222. As members of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs, Jeanne Brink, Tim DeLabruere, Judy Dow and I voted unanimously to oppose the current language of a bill currently making the rounds regarding recognition issues. We only support Vested Authority for the VCNAA and the last time we voted on this was at our meeting in November.

   However, our chairman has gone against what we agreed upon and has attempted to represent us as supporting the full provisions of H.124/S.0222, which has resulted in questioning from other members of the Native American community in Vermont who feel that we have betrayed them.

   I had hoped that Governor Douglas would appoint someone who could be fair and impartial. From my experience as a commission member for the past 2 years, I have mixed feelings on the chairman position and the actions of past chairman, Donald Stevens and current chairman, Charles Delaney-Megeso. I feel that both were too closely connected to April St.Francis-Merrill, which to me, would mean that they were appointed to the commission with the agenda of representing only the interests of April St.Francis-Merrill and the St.Francis-Sokoki band of the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation. I feel that Charles has good intentions and is a good man.  Unfortunately, his failure to respect the votes and wishes of other members on the VCNAA has caused even more strife.

I applied to be on the VCNAA for two reasons. Reason number one was to offer a greater voice for Native American people in the State of Vermont, since I have no current connection to the St.Francis-Sokoki Band and no other bands/tribes. Reason number two was to ensure that future generations of Native Americans in Vermont would have better access to employment and educational opportunities.

   I did not learn of my own heritage until I was 15 years old. I remember vividly the day my parents took me down to the office of the St.Francis-Sokoki band in Swanton to receive my tribal card. I also learned about my family tree and attended pow-wows. My mother, Christine Barratt, has been involved with the native community in Swanton for years and has taught schoolchildren how to make native american crafts. However, over the years, I have seen enough strife within the native community in this state and personally, I choose not to associate with the St.Francis-Sokoki band. I believe that it is dangerous to put the interests of one group over that of others, since Vermont has several tribes and bands other than the St.Francis-Sokoki band that deserve a voice when it comes to policy-making. Rather than become involved with the St.Francis-Sokoki band tribal council, I chose a path that I felt would benefit others as much.

   As a member of the commission, in order for the VCNAA to serve the Native American community in Vermont, we must have the ability to reach out and make compromises that will best serve ALL Native American interests in this state. This is easier said than done and it is something that I have devoted my personal time to working on. I may not have a lot of experience in state politics but if there's one thing that I do have, my heart will always be with my family, my heritage and those who fought for native rights, not only in Vermont, but around the United States as a whole.

   Regardless of what the outcome is, I want you all to know where I stand personally as a member of the VCNAA. I will no longer stand down and allow the media to erode the confidence of Native Americans in this state by vilifying the VCNAA. I assure you that Tim, Jeanne, Judy and I have our reasons for being on the VCNAA and we stand united and we will weather this storm much like we weathered the one created by Mr.Stevens.

   This is not about wielding power. This about serving the best interests of all native people in this state. This struggle will never end until native people get the recognition they deserve in this state. Whether it's by the VCNAA or the Legislature, it simply must happen.

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