I have a git repository that I created with git init.  (Warning: I am a git
newbie.)

I have committed several files in this directory.

When I open them in Emacs and attempt to use the keystrokes that I am used
to with vc-mode with Subversion, Emacs tells me that effectively these files
are not under version control.

"Git" is listed as one of the vc-handled-backends.

How do I hypnotize emacs into realizing that yes, in fact these files *are*
under version control, namely git?

Emacs version: GNU Emacs 23.3.1 (x86_64-apple-darwin, NS
apple-appkit-1038.35) of 2011-03-09 on black.porkrind.org

Git version:

$ git version
git version 1.7.5.1

Would git's being absent from Emacs' path be responsible for this?  I'm on
Mac OSX Snow Leopard.

Best,
Laird