A Response to Recent Events at UVM from the Koasek of the Koas

Authored by Doug Bent, June 28, 2022, and shared with tribal leadership and the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.

To whom it may concern, 

I am writing to you about the April 29th event that Professor Massell presided over. My name is Doug Bent, I am a member of the Koasek of the Koas, and represent them on the VCNAA. I am also the Director of the White Pine association which has the 501c3 for the tribe.

To say that I am deeply disappointed about what transpired that day is an understatement. The Abenaki of Vermont have been beaten down time and again by the white supremacist society and then to have our own kind say the hurtful things they said was unbelievable.

We at the Koasek have done nothing but work tirelessly and without financial support for many years to grow vegetables, for our citizens and elders in the community. To insinuate that we have made a lot of money for ourselves and benefited by it is an outright lie. I will gladly show you our books to prove it. 

To also have said that we don't have Abenaki blood is also a lie. One of our elders Trudy Parker who wrote the book Aunt Sarah is one of the Abenaki in our tribe. Chief Shirly had family members taken by the government in 1932 and has the letter from Brandon Training school to prove it. 

To have UVM allow this character assassination of the Vermont Abenaki after the apology just a few short years ago is a slap in the face. You didn't get rid of us all in your eugenics program and you will not get rid of us with your bullying and smear campaign. 

UVM has remained silent since this event so it appears that you are fine with the outcome. Maybe in another 90 years we will get another apology. We will prevail with the support of the Vermont people, the legislature, friends, and volunteers who want to right a wrong. Apparently you don't. 

We  have one goal here at the Koasek of the Koas and that is to make sure people know that the Abenaki were here for thousands of years and are still here today. 

Doug Bent