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
PITAWBAGW
Lake Champlain, “The waters between”
PALITAN
Burlington, “wrong way current”
WJIHOZOGA
Rock Dunder, “Guardian’s Island”
WAZWATEGW
Missisquoi River - “river which turns back”
WINOOSKI
Winooski - “land of onions”
TAWABODIIWAJO
Camel’s Hump - “place to sit in mountain; saddle mountain, mountain seat”
KWENITEGW
Connecticut River - “long river”
MOZÔDEBIWAJO
Mount Mansfield
WNEGIGWTEGW
Otter Creek - “otter flow”
PLANTS & WILDLIFE
MATGWAS
rabbit, hare, “a forked one”
WINOS
Wild onion, leek
NAMAGW
Lake Trout
SENÔMOZI
Rock Maple
AWASOS
Bear
MASKWAIMOZI
White birch
MOZ
Moose
KOA
White Pine
NOLKA
Deer
KIZOSôGAN
Sunflower
TOLBA
Turtle
