Eugene Rich
Alnôbaiwi Board member
Why Alnobaiwi?
It’s simple. I can sum it up in 2 words, my family. It really is that simple.
As a child with 2 siblings we grew up in Franklin County. Always knowing that we were of Abenaki heritage, but never knowing the history, spirituality or customs. My family was among those that were afraid to talk about being Abenaki having lived through Vermont government removing children from homes and placing them with other non native families. But that’s another story. I grew up hunting, fishing and camping. Learning to respect the land and what it had to offer. A very Abenaki thing.
When I realized all that I did not know, I became involved in the Tribal Council for the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation. I served about 7 years as a Tribal Council member and then 2 years as Chief.
I always believed that tribal politics ( between the recognized tribes ) prevented the Abenaki people reaching a place of sharing. I always believed that each tribe had pieces of the puzzle and that if we came together, we could see the whole picture. From that I worked with several members of the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation to bring in tribal citizens that were willing to share knowledge and skills.
Eventually we conceived and formed Alnobaiwi. Non political, and beholding to no tribe. We work with all tribes and it’s people. We even work to inform and educate non native people and citizens of other tribes from other states.
Our goal is to preserve the Abenaki; culture, spirituality and traditions to the best of our ability.
That is where family comes in. Having matured over the years and learning what I can, I realize how important it is for me to teach my children and grandchildren the Abenaki way.
Holly LaFrance
Alnôbaiwi Board member
Member of Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi since 1976.
Secretary and member of Maquam Bay Board for a year and a half.
Member of Alnôbaiwi Council 2 years, Secretary for 1 year.
I enjoy being outside in the garden and with nature.
I'm a spiritual person and enjoy learning more about our traditions.
I paint pictures of nature to keep me grounded.
David Schein
Alnôbaiwi’s Administrative Coordinator and Grants Manager
Vermont native He is a writer, theater artist, musician and non-profit manager. He got his start on the non-profit management side writing grants for his San Francisco-based theater company, the Blake Street Hawkeyes. He has founded non pr0fits in the USA and Ethiopia, where he directed the One Love AIDS/HIV Awareness theater. He served as Artistic and then Executive Director of the Chicago-based Free Street Programs, where he designed and funded “jobs in the arts” programs for inner-city teens. In Western New York he served as Director of the Arts Council for Chautauqua County and the Reg Lenna Civic Center, a 1,200 seat Union Theater. Managing an annual budget of 1.2 million dollars and an Arts Block in downtown Jamestown, he developed programs integrating video and creative writing in Chautauqua Co. School Districts, and won grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and many state and local funding sources. Since moving back to Vermont in 2010 he has served as the Executive Director of the Willowell Foundation and the Vermont People with AIDS Coalition. He serves on the Board of Directors of Burlington’s theater space, Off Center for the Dramatic Arts and volunteers for Big Heavy World, a non-profit dedicated to promoting Vermont-made music and Vermont musicians. He loves the lakes and mountains of Vermont and is thrilled to work for and learn from the Alnôbaiwi Council as they preserve and educate about Abenaki traditions and heritage.