Abenaki Indian History

The Abenaki Indian name originated from a word in their own language, meaning " Dawn Land People," or "Easterners." Eastern Abenaki occupied the state of Maine from the 1600's. Lake Champlian (Vermont), New Hampshire, and parts of Canada were occupied by the Western Abnaki. Both tribes spoke the same language.

After diseases such as small pox and the measles came around, the Abenaki population began to decrease significantly. The Abenaki were foragers. They gathered and hunted their own food. They traveled by mainly by canoe, and lived in villages near waterfalls to harvest fish.
The American Revolution divided the Eastern and Western Abenaki and remained divided until the war of 1812.

The Abnaki flag is dark green like the Green Mountains. On the green is a centered shield. The shield is a tribal seal representing animal hide.