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Ray Lussier Wabanaki Family History Center and Reading Room- (See update at the bottom of this page!) In the spring of 2006, Chief Looking Glass again honored the Clan of the Hawk with another incredible gifting loan. He sent all of the books in his Native American research library to be cared for in a new library at the clan.
This has now been named The Ray Lussier Wabanaki Family History Center and Reading Room. Dedication ceremonies were held at the15th Annual Pow Wow, Saturday, August 5th, 2006. and was one of the high points of the celebration.
This wonderful collection includes 8 volumes of the Dictionnaire Genealogiques Des Familles Canadiennes, Purreville-Odanak, Napierville, Comte’ de Missiquoi, Richelieu, Drumonville, and many, many more. The birth and marriage records from many reservations in Canada, going back into the 1600’s are in this research collection.
Lussier in a council resolution at SNEIC, said, “ Whereas, The Clan of the Hawk of Evansville Vermont under direction of my blood brother Chief Ralph Swett has distinguished itself by carrying on many Abenaki traditions, visiting schools and teaching the younger generation, hosting Pow Wows, Gatherings etc., making available a Museum of Abenaki as well as other tribal histories and involving itself in Community outreach programs. Be it hereby Resolved: In the name of Abenaki Unity, I Hereby entrust to The Clan of the Hawk my Books, Repertoires and other pertinent Documents for the introduction of the Wabanaki Family Resource Library and Reading Room in Evansville Vermont.”
As Icing on the Cake, in the fall of 2006, Mr. Jerome Kelly gave us, for the Clan Reference Library, over 100 beautiful books on Native Americans, their history, culture and crafts. These two gifts are a priceless addition to the collections of the Clan and in themselves represent an amazing link to our past.
These records are precious, and will have to be handled with special care. Archival museum rules will be in effect, as this is a one-of-a-kind resource for the area Abenaki’s. To have all of this information under one roof is especially important now that the Abenaki have finally gained their long-awaited recognition in the State of Vermont. This library will be an invaluable resource for those wishing to finally trace their lineage back to Native American ancestors. With the recent donation of new computer software, we are now in the process of transferring all of these records to pdf. documents and putting them on CDs! Although this is a long, tedious and arduous process, when it is completed, these CD's will be available for use in our library, and in the future, for purchase. The CD's will make research easier and protect the original records from overhandling. 4-20-2008 Update: Almost all of the books have been scanned in!! It was discovered that some of the books were so faded that they had to be copied on a high quality copy machine, one page at a time and then the copied had to be scanned it. Some had to have bindings removed and later replaced or repaired to maintain the integrity of the books. The work of indexing and codifying them has started, but as this is being professionally done, and as funds are low, it will be an ongoing process that bows to finances. We are hoping to have the catalog of CD's ready by early summer. Funding for this work is nearly exhausted! Donations to the genealogy library to cover the costs of this work are greatly needed. To donate specifically to this cause, contact Chief Lone Cloud at etpvt@aol.com. Your gift will be used only as you request!! |
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