Vermont historian Richard Witting recently spoke at the State House about the rewriting of Vermont’s eugenics history and the erasure of the Abenaki people from the state’s historical narrative. He highlighted the actual genocide that took place in 1759 when Colonial troops burned the Abenaki village of Odanak (St. Francis). Despite this tragic history, the Abenaki people have continued to live and travel through Vermont, never ceding their land.
During the event, members of Vermont’s state-recognized “tribes” disrupted the Abenaki delegation, displaying hostility and disrespect. This behavior reflects the flawed legislation of 2010-12 that granted recognition to groups lacking Abenaki ancestry, perpetuating an ongoing ethnocide. The Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs, established alongside this legislation, is criticized for prioritizing non-Native groups and excluding historically grounded Indigenous communities.
Despite the chaos and hostility displayed at the event, individuals like State Rep. Troy Headrick and Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale stood up for civility and expressed regret for the harm caused by the state recognition process. Governor Phil Scott’s absence and the representation of his administration by members of the VCNAA, who were among the hecklers, reflect a failure in the state’s policies on Native affairs.
Calls are now being made for Governor Scott to investigate and reform the VCNAA, and for citizens to demand better representation for the Abenaki Nation. Failure to address these issues risks aligning Vermont with a colonial legacy of exclusion. It is crucial for state leaders to act now to rectify past mistakes and create a more inclusive and respectful environment for Native communities in Vermont.
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