Abenaki
Title
Abenaki
Subject
Abenaki Indians
Description
Traditional Abenaki territory encompasses what is now New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as parts of western Maine, western Massachusetts, and Quebec. The Abenaki people comprise numerous bands and communities. In the United States, at this time, none of those groups is federally recognized. The Canadian government formally recognizes two reserves, at Odanak (St. Francis) and Wolinak (Becancour).
Resources
Mississquoi Abenaki Tribal Council (VT)
Elnu Abenaki Tribe (VT)
Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe (VT)
Koasek Traditional Band (VT)
Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki (NH)
Resources
Mississquoi Abenaki Tribal Council (VT)
Elnu Abenaki Tribe (VT)
Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe (VT)
Koasek Traditional Band (VT)
Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki (NH)
Collection Items
Fancy Basket Hamper (c. 1900)
Fancy Hamper, c. 1900, Ash Splint, Abenaki, Housed at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
This basket, housed at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, is a fancy basket hamper decorated with cowiss that dates to c. 1900s. Cowiss is the Abenaki word for the…
Hat Basket (c. 1860-1880)
Hat Basket, c.1860-1880, Ash Splint, Abenaki, Housed at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
This hat basket, one that would have been sold to tourists, nicely illustrates Abenaki basketry's functional and aesthetic appeal. The chain link design on the…
Eel weir basket (c. early 1900s)
Eel Weir, c. early 1900s, Wood Splint, Abenaki, Housed at The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
An unidentified fishing basket trap from the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, NH, is likely an eel trap. Woven from wood splints, it stands nearly three…
"Signature, Treaty of Portsmouth" (1713) by Bomoseen
!["Signature, Treaty of Portsmouth" (1713) by Bomoseen](https://dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/square_thumbnails/06eb1a69ccf3ef916a8cdd55b255231f.jpg ""Signature, Treaty of Portsmouth" (1713) by Bomoseen")
The signature of Abenaki sachem Bomoseen is one of many attached to the Portsmouth Peace Treaty of July 13, 1713. Some of these signatures are printed in spiraled cursive while others are elaborate totems, emblems used by Native American leaders to…
Utilitarian Basket (mid-late 1800s) by unknown Abenaki woman
Farm Basket, mid-late 1800s, Wood Splint, Abenaki, Housed at the Hopkinton Historical Society
The Life of a Basket
waligek abaznoda gagalnemenal/ abaznodakad w’eljial.
A good basket holds its maker's hands.
(Jesse Bruchac, "Abaznodaal")
Baskets are…
Yarn Basket (c. 1760) by Penacook Abenaki Indians
Yarn Basket, c. 1760, Ash Splint, Penacook Abenaki, Housed at the Hopkinton Historical Society
This ash splint yarn basket, dating to 1760, is one of the earliest baskets in our online archive. It is also one of the earliest known Penacook baskets.…
Berry Basket With Handwritten Note (1840)
Berry Basket, 1840, Ash Splint & Hong Kong Cord, Abenaki, Housed at the Hopkinton Historical Society
Made from ash splint and detailed with Hong Kong Cord, this berry basket stands out because of the handwritten note on its ash splints that names…
Wall Basket (late 1700s to mid 1800s)
Wall Basket, late 1700s to mid 1800s, Ash Splint, Abenaki, Housed at the Hopkinton Historical Society
Probably used to store fruits and vegetables, this basket was made to hang on a hook on the wall (Hopkinton Historical Society). Wide-open spaces at…
Sweetgrass Fancy Basket (c. 1900)
Fancy Basket, c. 1900, Sweetgrass & Ash Splint, Abenaki, Housed at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
This fancy basket with a flip lid has dark colored handles on the side and a blueish green latch on the front. The edge of the basket is decorated in…