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Northeast Wigwam: People of the Dawnland
The Abenaki probably numbered more than 20,000 people before first contact with Europeans, in the current states of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, although this number was greatly reduced due to the diseases brought into North America by Europeans. During the wars of the 18th century, many Abenaki migrated to Quebec, Canada where the greatest number can be found today.
Today's Abenaki in the U.S. are identified as 2 groups - the Western Abenaki (Vermont and New Hampshire) and the Eastern Abenaki (Maine).
Today there are more than 2,500 Western Abenaki living in the Lake Champlain area of Vermont - the Sokoki-St. Francis Band of the Abenaki Nation.
Although the Abenaki received state recognition in 1976, it was later withdrawn, and at the time of this writing they are still seeking federal recognition.
The Abenaki absorbed thousands of southern New England Natives who were seeking refuge from the King Philip's War in the 1670's. Descendants of Pennacook, Narragansett, Wampanoag, Niantic, Pocumtuc, Pequot and Nipmuc can still be found among Abenaki today.
--written by Harold and Deborah Champlain, Narragansett
Indian languages
