Robert Richard: The Continued Attempted Erasure of Our People and Culture by UVM

The following open letter from Robert Richard, Missisquoi Abenaki Tribal Councillor was broadly shared recently:

In the early twentieth century, the University of Vermont funded and supported a eugenics movement led by Professor Henry Perkins, contributing to the stereotyping, persecution, and state-sponsored sterilization and relocation of many members of the Abenaki community. This effort did not totally succeed. In 2019, President Tom Sullivan issued a formal apology on behalf of the University, expressing "deep and sincere remorse given to the eugenics survey and associated conduct in Vermont." Sullivan wrote that the UVM community should learn from past mistakes and provide educational opportunities to promote healing.

Instead, a mere three years later, UVM's history department and Canadian studies program sponsored a symposium whereby representatives of the Quebec-based Odanak First Nation slandered, defamed, and denounced the ancestry of Vermont's state-recognized tribes. No representatives from the Vermont-based Abenaki tribes were invited to participate, leading to a one-sided discussion. While participants were asked to submit written questions to the panelists, the questions were censored in advance, and any remarks that did not fit the agenda were ignored. Is UVM trying to complete the erasure that was attempted under Professor Perkins' program? Remember that Hitler corresponded with Professor Perkins about his eugenics study, and look at what he accomplished.

Sadly, many UVM students in attendance bought into these vitriolic ideas. I fear this hate speech will lead to hate crime against Abenaki students. Many already feel forced to hide their heritage for fear of their safety on the UVM campus.

Following the symposium, I contacted the University of Vermont's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to inquire how UVM could so quickly forget its 2019 apology. The office declined to get involved. It seems they were more worried about their paychecks than providing help to a diversified group of people and students, justifying the presentation as "academic freedom of speech." Why does this office exist if they are not in a position to help those they are supposed to represent?

Recently, the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs requested that the University of Vermont hold another symposium featuring speakers from state-recognized tribes. To date, no such invitation has been extended. Instead, UVM is holding another event on April 28, similar to the one held last year. Once again, we are not being given the opportunity to prove and defend our heritage. Do you see a pattern?

In 2012, Vermont gave state recognition to the Nulhegan, Elnu, Koasek, and Missisquoi Abenaki Nations. Yet, there has been no formal response from Vermont's elected leadership denouncing UVM's support of events that contribute to the process of attempted erasure of our people or culture. Is it time for the Vermont Legislature to defund the University of Vermont until these actions are corrected? Please be part of the solution.

Respectfully,
Robert Richard, Abenaki Tribal Councilman

with approval of the Tribal Council, Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi