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Opinion — Don Stevens: My family’s experience of Vermont’s eugenics survey

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2024

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Opinion — Don Stevens: My family’s experience of Vermont’s eugenics survey

Kwai (greetings) Editor,

As a leader of the Nulhegan Abenaki tribe and as the grandson of someone listed by the eugenics survey as defective, I have personal knowledge about the subject of eugenics in Vermont. My family and many others were considered those so-called poor, disabled, and defective people — unworthy of breeding.

The college professors and staff members who carried out the eugenics survey in the 1920’s and beyond were misguided and wrong. It is still equally wrong and misguided to decide who is worthy of existing or “unworthy” of telling their lived experiences.

Since four generations of my ancestors and hundreds of family members are listed in the eugenics survey, I would say that we were targeted. It is easy to find in those eugenics records that my family is listed as being Indian and selling baskets while being called “gypsies.”

Richard Witting: Any ‘truth and reconciliation’ must begin with truth

It is misleading to suggest that Canadian Tribal families were the only Abenaki Indians selling baskets in the United States. Odanak has stated themselves that they were not affected by the eugenics survey and had left the United States prior to the 1800s as a tribal entity. I agree, some families still visited and traveled to Vermont like many other people do today. This is all a matter of public record. I am willing to educate people on the Vermont indigenous “gypsy” and family experiences for those who are willing to learn.

Whether people want to argue who is “Indian” enough or “targeted” is not really my concern. The fact that people’s lives, like my grandmother’s, were affected by UVM and state-sponsored sterilization programs is the real issue. Deciding worthiness or people’s “status” should never be allowed to happen again.

The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to tell the stories of the families directly affected by the eugenics survey regardless of their race, social class or medical condition. Let these families heal from the trauma and pain that other families weren’t subjected to and tell their lived experiences.

Waolowzi (be very well),

Don Stevens

Chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Pieces contributed by readers and newsmakers. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermonters.
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Related Topics:abenaki Don Stevens Featured Truth and Reconciliation Commission

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Vermont

Vermont woman shot and injured by stray bullet at her home

Published

1 hour ago

June 17, 2026

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Vermont woman shot and injured by stray bullet at her home

SWANTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Police say a woman was shot and injured at her home in Swanton Town by a stray bullet.

It happened Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. at a home on Ceres Circle in Swanton. Vermont troopers say the stray bullet was fired nearby and went into the woman’s residence.

Police say they have identified those involved, and there is no danger to the public.

The woman was taken to the hospital in St. Albans. We do not know her condition.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police in St. Albans at 802-524-5993 or to submit an anonymous tip online.

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Vermont

2 people found dead after house fire in Chelsea, Vt.

Published

12 hours ago

June 17, 2026

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2 people found dead after house fire in Chelsea, Vt.

An investigation is underway in Vermont after two people were found dead following an early morning fire at a home in Chelsea.

Vermont State Police say the fire at a single-family residence at 5 North Common was reported around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, prompting a response from firefighters from multiple fire departments.

It took about 3.5 hours to extinguish the blaze, according to police, and the building is a total loss.

During a subsequent search of the home, investigators found the remains of two people, police added. Their bodies will be brought to the chief medical examiner’s office in Burlington for autopsies to confirm their identities and determine the cause and manner of their deaths.

Additional details about the fire, or the victims, were not immediately available. The deaths are being investigated by state police detectives, and the original and cause of the fire is under investigation by the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion unit.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call state police at 802-234-9933, or provide an anonymous tip online here.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for June 16, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at June 16, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from June 16 drawing

12-20-53-67-70, Mega Ball: 12

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from June 16 drawing

06-21-27-29-38

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 16 drawing

Day: 1-9-6

Evening: 5-1-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 16 drawing

Day: 6-3-0-5

Evening: 2-1-8-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 16 drawing

01-13-21-40-57, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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