Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation


The Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation, formerly a nonprofit organization, is a state-recognized tribe from Vermont. They are often referred to as the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe or simply, Nulhegan. Numbering approximately 1,400 enrolled members, most members reside in Orleans County and the adjacent counties in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The Nulhegan Tribe was recognized as a Native American tribe by the State of Vermont in 2011. The Nulhegan are one of 4 state-recognized tribes in Vermont. They participate at the state level in many ways, including in the Vermont Commission of Native American Affairs.

Gatherings

The Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe host multiple gatherings every year. The first is at the Winter Solstice in late December. The second is the annual Snow Snake Games held at the end of February or early March. The last and biggest gathering is the annual Nulheganaki gathering held every year at the end of August or beginning of September.

Controversy

The legitimacy of the Nulhegan Band has been questioned due to root ancestors erroneously being listed as Native. Other root ancestors, though Native, were not Abenaki. In the 2005 petition for federal recognition of an affiliated band, the BIA states