Historic society presents: Abenaki erasure, eugenics and ethnocide

Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.—VIRTUAL—The Chittenden Country Historical Society (CCHS) and the Ethan Homestead Museum will present an eye-opening and inspiring talk to be given by Vera Longtoe Sheehan, a member of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, titled “Abenaki Erasure, Eugenics and Ethnocide.” 

Regional Indigenous culture began long before the Green Mount State was named, had endured colonization, and continues to this day. Sheehan will cover the three E’s of the Abenaki experience—erasure, eugenics, and ethnocide—while sharing the history of the strength and resiliency of the Abenaki people, who continue to persevere in the face of adversity.

An educator, activist, and artist, Vera Longtoe Sheehan is the executive director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and founder of the Abenaki Arts and Education Center. Her work helps to bridge the gap between the Native American and the non-native communities by developing dynamic museum exhibitions, cultural heritage events, education programs and resources. She currently serves on the Vermont Humanities Council executive board and the Act 1 Working Group. She formerly worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

For more information, visit: abenakiart.org or abenaki-edu.org.  To view the presentation, get the Zoom link at EthanAllenHomestead.org shortly before 2 p.m. on Jan. 15.