Report for America

'We have always been here': For New Hampshire Residents, Native American Heritage is Personal

'We have always been here': For New Hampshire Residents, Native American Heritage is Personal

During the evenings, Loudon resident Cheri Pernaw is focused on learning Abenaki, the language of her ancestors. Sometimes she attends a group with other students, and other nights she practices at home, flipping flashcards while her husband or grandchildren look at her skeptically. The language is challenging, but for Pernaw, the slow learning process is worth the hard work.

“The reason I want to learn Abekani, and I’m sticking to it, is that when I die, I want to be able to talk to my ancestors in their tongue,” said Pernaw.

'We have always been here': State Recognition Seems Unlikely For New Hampshire Native Americans

'We have always been here': State Recognition Seems Unlikely For New Hampshire Native Americans

When the state of Vermont recognized four Native American groups in 2011 and 2012, Sherry Gould discovered an opportunity to not only join a tribe, but to protect her art.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Gould is an Abenaki basketmaker who lives in Bradford. At the time, federal law blocked her from marketing her work as Native-made, since only members of state and federally recognized tribes gain the right to do so under federal arts and crafts legislation.

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

Anne Jennison is constantly referred to as if she isn’t here anymore. An indigenous resident of New Hampshire, Jennison said people default to talking about the Abenaki in the past, a habit that speaks to a long, dark history.

“Except for indigenous people themselves, they are almost invariably referred to in the past tense — like a great big rubber eraser literally has taken the history,” she said.

State Native American Commission gain new members after six months of stagnation

State Native American Commission gain new members after six months of stagnation

After more than half a year without being able to officially vote due to a lack of members, the state Commission for Native American Affairs gained four new members appointed by Gov. Chris Sununu.

As of November, the state Commission on Native American Affairs didn’t have enough members to officially vote, in part because the group hadn’t had a new public member appointed by Gov. Chris Sununu in two years.

Teachers fear ‘Freedom from Discrimination’ law worsens statewide decline in social studies education

Teachers fear ‘Freedom from Discrimination’ law worsens statewide decline in social studies education

It’s been six months since the state passed the “Freedom from Discrimination” law, and some educators say the new legislation has had a discouraging impact on the one classroom subject that needs the most support in New Hampshire right now: social studies.

.The subject was at the forefront of a public dialogue session hosted by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Feb. 6. The in-person and virtual event — ‘Divisive Concepts’: A Chilling Effect on Teaching History — brought in more than 350 audience members and featured three panelists, who said the law and other related legislation has made a bad situation worse.