Jumbo Magazine - Fall 2023

A COMMUNITY TO WRITE HOME ABOUT

Tufts’ Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) grew this past year with the creation of a new identity center: the Indigenous Center. This means that the DSDI has grown to include eight centers: the Africana Center; the Asian American Center; the FIRST Resource Center for first generation, low income, and undocumented students; the Latinx Center; the LGBT Center; the Women’s Center; and the Center for STEM Diversity. Our writer Jed sat down with the Indigenous Center’s inaugural director Vernon Miller to discuss what brought him to Tufts and his plans for how the newest identity resource center will help make Tufts a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

BY JED QUIAOIT ’25

Vernon’s story takes us from the Midwest through his experiences as a high school teacher, a tribal leader, and eventually to his current role as the Director of the Indigenous Center at Tufts. Prior to joining Tufts, Vernon held multiple roles in education. He was a student at the University of NebraskaLincoln navigating through his education journey with minimal representation of Indigenous peoples across the teaching staff and administration. “In general, I never had anyone who reflected my identities and it’s very similar for other Indigenous students. In terms of the curriculum, it never reflected our identity, our history, our values, and so on.” But everything changed when his grandmother, who was one of the few Native American teachers in his school system, became his fourthgrade teacher. Vernon acknowledges that representation matters: “When you see someone who looks like you in various roles, it sparks the inspiration to pursue those paths. In general, we won’t know if something’s worth pursuing because we don’t know if that’s that type of experience we want. You know, we don’t often see a lot of Indigenous physicians, lawyers, or politicians.”

In college, Vernon was drawn to business, but his grandmother’s influence and his commitment to his community led him to become a high school business teacher on his reservation. This was partly driven by the lack of investment in the community’s education. As a result, “kids in the school system weren’t really wanting to do more beyond those normal school hours and so like, extracurriculars, anything beyond that was not something that was really offered. We just had the basic fall sports [volleyball or football]; in the winter, you had basketball and that was it. And then a spring sport all you had was track and field.”

He poured his heart into creating a supportive environment for his students from coaching volleyball and basketball to managing concessions to facilitating quiz bowl, leading to a 100% graduation rate among those he worked with. His dedication and advocacy caught the attention of the Obama administration, leading to several advisory board appointments—a few examples being the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute of Health’s Tribal Technical Advisory Committee—where he worked to address the needs of Indigenous communities nationwide. “I can’t do something idly. I have to get really involved and totally immerse myself in a strong issue for education. I had no problem being an educator and educating others about my community, my community’s experiences, and what the Indigenous experience is like in the journeys that we have.”

After serving as a tribal leader for three years, Vernon sought to make an even greater impact in higher education. He pursued a graduate degree in college administration, aiming to create spaces that support Indigenous students in their educational journeys. This path brought him to Tufts University, where he embarked on a transformative mission.

As the first Director of the Indigenous Center at Tufts, Vernon had a vision: to build a strong community for Indigenous students and create a space where their contemporary identities and achievements are highlighted. The center became a welcoming home away from home, adorned with artwork and artifacts from Indigenous artists and communities. “When you look up Native Americans or Indigenous people, you’re gonna get black and white pictures from the past. You don’t see us today. You don’t see the work that we’re doing today. You don’t see the opportunities that we’ve created for our communities. That’s one thing that I really want to make sure we highlight here: our lives today in a contemporary sense, who we are today, and the work that we do—and that includes supporting Indigenous artists and businesses from communities, families, and alumni.”

Working closely with the Indigenous Students’ Organization at Tufts, Vernon embraced the intersectionality of identities within the Indigenous community and fostered a sense of belonging for all. The center became a hub of support and empowerment, attracting students from diverse backgrounds. With a year of accomplishments under his belt, Vernon’s goals for the future are clear. He aims to deepen education and awareness of Indigenous identities, create further opportunities for identity development, and build even stronger relationships with the broader community.

At the end of our chat, I could say that Vernon is not only changing the lives of Indigenous students at Tufts University, but he is also transforming how institutions of higher education can better support underrepresented communities. With his unwavering dedication and passion, Vernon is leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and opportunity. One thing he’s proud of? “Seeing the growth in the students. I want them to come to the Center and feel like they’re at home, and that was the whole intent of this space: to get away from the hustle and bustle outside the Center’s walls and build community both within and outside Tufts.”

So, if you’re considering Tufts as your college destination, remember that the Indigenous Center and the tireless efforts of Vernon await, ready to welcome you to a vibrant community where your voice matters, your identity is celebrated, and your journey is supported every step of the way.