Abenaki has long been an endangered language, but a new generation has begun to preserve, protect, and revitalize it. Here’s a very short collection of phrases and words about the geography, plants, and wildlife of the region.

Many thanks to author and storyteller, Dr. Joe Bruchac and Jesse Bruchac, Director of the School of Abenaki at Middlebury College and the Ndakinna Education Center in the Adirondacks for providing us with these translations. Special thanks to Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Abenaki for his assistance.

 

GREETINGS

Kwai - Hello

Wôwlôwzi - An expression of good will when parting ways or at the end of a conversation, “Be very well”

Wlakamigenoka - Make peace”

Kchi wliwni - Great thanks

GEOGRAPHY

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PITAWBAGW

Lake Champlain, “The waters between

 

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PALITAN

Burlington, “wrong way current”

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WJIHOZOGA

Rock Dunder, “Guardian’s Island”

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WAZWATEGW

Missisquoi River - “river which turns back”

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WINOOSKI

Winooski - “land of onions”

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TAWABODIIWAJO

Camel’s Hump - “place to sit in mountain; saddle mountain, mountain seat

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KWENITEGW

Connecticut River - “long river”

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MOZÔDEBIWAJO

Mount Mansfield

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WNEGIGWTEGW

Otter Creek - “otter flow

PLANTS & WILDLIFE

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MATGWAS

rabbit, hare, “a forked one”

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WINOS

Wild onion, leek

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NAMAGW

Lake Trout

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SENÔMOZI

Rock Maple

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AWASOS

Bear

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MASKWAIMOZI

White birch

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MOZ

Moose

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KOA

White Pine

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NOLKA

Deer

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KIZOSôGAN

Sunflower

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TOLBA

Turtle