Abenaki Couple, 18th Century

The Abenaki Peoples are comprised of many Native American tribes throughout New England, Quebec and the Maritimes of Eastern Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). They are referred to in the tribal lists as being among the Eastern Woodlands tribes. Their language is Eastern Algonquian.

The Abenakis were one of five Algonquian tribes that belonged to the Wabanaki Confederacy, which were the Abenaki, Mikmaq (Mi'kmaq or Micmac), Penawapskewi (or Penobscot), Pestomuhkati (or Passamaquoddy), and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet or Malicite). They were called "Wôbanakiak", People of the Dawn Land, for they were the first in the land to greet the light of dawn.

Henry R. Schoolcraft, (March 28, 1793 – December 10, 1864) was an American geographer, geologist, and ethnologist, noted for his early studies of Native American cultures. In his "The Merrimac Valley, And Abenaki Tribes" history he wrote:

At the period of the first settlement of New England by the English, the principal Indian powers located in that territory, were, the Pokanokets, under Massasoit; the Narragansetts, under Canonicus; the Pequot-Algonquins of Connecticut; and the Merrimack, or Pennacook, Bashabary of Amoskeag. Each of these comprised several subordinate tribes, bearing separate names, and, although bound, by both lingual and tribal affinities, to the central tribal government, yet yielding obedience to it in the ordinary loose manner of the local Indian tribes. Each of these tribal circles was ruled by its particular chief, who, although he arrogated to himself the powers and immunities of hereditary descent, yet exercised no absolute controlling influence, beyond what the popular voice allowed him. The colonists were not long in ascertaining who were the principal rulers, nor in taking the necessary measures to conciliate them.

Writers of early history of Maine wrote that the Abenakis were more gentle in manners and more docile than their western congeners. Yet they were implacable enemies and, as Joseph Pierre Anselme Maurault stated in his History of the Abenakis, 1605, "watched for opportunities of revenge, as did other Indians."

There was a time when women and children could roam freely in the lush, green forests, gathering herbs, roots and other plants to carry back to their peaceful villages. Their voices drifting softly to each other in the safety of the cool forests, muffled by the heavy growth of ferns and other brush nestled under the tall pine trees that sheltered them within. There was good hunting for the men with no competition from outsiders, and plenty of foods to dry and store for the winter. In the summers women and young girls gathered the shellfish so abundant along the coast and paddled by canoe to any one of the small islands. They lived by the seasons, close to the coastal areas in summer, portaging along the rivers and retreating further inland to spend the winter months in their sturdy birch bark wigwams.

Women would cover the floors or their wigwams with fragrant branches of the Hemlock then cover that with animal furs. The constant fires in the fire pits, the Hemlock, furs and the many people gathered within created warmth that stayed with them throughout the bitter cold winters. Bear and Deer skins lined the interior walls for added protection from the cold winds. The wigwams were large enough to provide shelter, cooking and sleeping for extended families.

With the settlement of New England by Europeans and the wars between French and English a way of life for the Peoples changed and many Abenakis retreated to Quebec for safety. Many died due to the battles fought, the bounty put on their scalps, and diseases brought to them by the invading newcomers from other lands. Two large tribal communities that still exist today formed near St. Francis (the Odanak), and Becancour (the Wolinak). Three other reservations also still exist in northern Maine, with seven Maliseet reserves located in New Brunswick and Quebec. Other Abenaki groups are scattered throughout northern New Hampshire and Vermont.

Indian Island, once a busy and ancient gathering place for all the tribes to meet and renew old friendships and hold councils, now has only a few thousand Penobscot on the reservation at Old Town, Maine. The Abenakis, who once roamed free over several million acres of land they called home, are now scattered, but have survived, in spite of the fact that foreign governments fought each other for dominance over the land the Abenakis called home.

These were, and are, the People of the Dawn Land.
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