ABENAKI PEOPLE NEED INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

Email by Denise L. Watso of February 7th, 2011
Good Evening;


This email is directed to reporters in Vermont, whom I am asking to provide our Abenaki people the opportunity for a fair and equitable account of the State Recognition process unfolding in Vermont today. The greatest injustice ever NOT recorded in the history of the Abenaki people is being ignored by reporters who are too busy to investigate the facts and allow our Abenaki brothers and sisters the dignity of telling our side of the story, the historically known Abenaki who oppose the State Recognition of non-Indians, who have been allowed in the newspapers and blogs of Vermont to misrepresent the facts about who we are to the citizens of Vermont. We all deserve better.

I have sent press releases with facts, our opposition, and explanations, to no avail. The reporters of Vermont can and should do more of an investigation and should not be significantly influenced by these groups. Many promises made to us have been broken during our opposing State Recognition. Many ethical issues and conflicts of interest have not been questioned and are being overlooked by reporters too busy to report the issues clouding the State Recognition process.

I know the National dilemma facing newspapers and journalists today, but this does not excuse leaving our opposition ignored and unreported to the citizens of Vermont and allowing us to be shut out of the opportunity to represent our side. The issue in Vermont will have a permanent impact forever to our people, who have lived in the “U.S.” since time immemorial. Please give us the respect we deserve, to represent ourselves and stand up for our ancestors, therefore please dedicate more investigation and an opposing view to be expressed.

Promises have been broken, some actually denying us our basic Civil Rights and the legislature has not been in compliance with several articles of the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I append just a few of the violations below for your reference:


Article 2
Indigenous peoples and individuals are free and equal to all other peoples and individuals and have the right to be free from any kind of discrimination, in the exercise of their rights, in particular that based on their indigenous origin or identity.
Article 4
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
Article 7
1. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.
2. States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities;
(b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories or resources;
(c) Any form of forced population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights;
(d) Any form of forced assimilation or integration by other cultures or ways of life imposed on them by legislative, administrative or other measures;
(e) Any form of propaganda designed to promote or incite racial or ethnic discrimination directed against them.

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
CLICK ON LINK FOR FULL JOURNALISTS ETHIC CODE

Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.