Ben & Jerry’s, the renowned ice cream giant, is facing an unexpected land claim challenge from Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. The company’s recent virtue signaling regarding indigenous land issues has sparked controversy. In a bold tweet on July 4th, Ben & Jerry’s expressed the audacious view that the U.S. exists on stolen indigenous land and should be returned. However, Chief Stevens quickly called out the hypocrisy, highlighting that the ice cream company’s Vermont headquarters sits on Western Abenaki land. As the dispute unfolds, Ben & Jerry’s silence becomes more deafening, raising questions about their commitment to their stated values. The company’s parent company, Unilever, is also experiencing a significant financial hit due to emerging boycotts. This land dispute exposes the potential pitfalls of ‘woke capitalism’ and emphasizes the power of indigenous voices.
