The Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation has taken ownership of a 270.5-acre property in Cabot and Peacham, returned by the New England Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The land, previously known as Covenant Hills Christian Camp, was deeded to the tribe's nonprofit arm, Abenaki Helping Abenaki, this week following nearly three years of planning.
The property had served as a joint United Methodist and United Church of Christ camping ministry from 1989 until those programs ended in 2015, and has since been used as a local retreat and rental facility, according to the church.
Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band said in a statement, "This land will become a sanctuary where we pass down our language, our traditions, and our values to ensure that we leave no Abenaki behind, while protecting the trees, the animals, and every living thing that shares this space with us."
The New England Conference said its membership voted overwhelmingly to approve the restitution. In a statement, the conference's Visioning and Leadership Team said, "While there is natural grief for the closing of a chapter of camp history that meant so much to our community, there is profound, genuine joy in witnessing this land return to the descendants of its original inhabitants."
The transfer marks the return of land to the Abenaki after more than 200 years.
Photo: JESUS ADRIÁN SAAVEDRA via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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