Algonquin – a First Nations People who ranged throughout a vast territory from Georgian Bay in the West, to the St. Maurice River in the East. Literally translated it means “at the place of spearing fish and eels.”
Kichisippirini – Algonquin people of the Ottawa region, a name meaning “people of the great river.”
Anishnabe – the original people
In the Algonquin language:
Annawan – chief
Asticou – boiling kettle
Chogan – blackbird
Dodaim – totem
Makasin – moccasin
Makwa – bear
Odawa/Odawe – to trade
Mohawk – cannibal
Kanienkehaka – a First Nations People who occupied territory in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. The name means “people of the flint.”
In the Kanienkehaka language:
Aghstawenserontha – he who puts on the rattles
Dekanawida – two rivers running
Ayonhwahtha or Hiawatha – he who puts on the wampum belt, which indicates a peace accord
Segoleh – he who laughs
Iroquois – arguably French for “rattlesnakes.” This referred to the Five Nations, who called themselves Haudenosaunee – people of the longhouse
The Five Nations are:
Kanienkehaka – people of the flint
Onondaga – people of the many hills
Cayuga – people of the landing
Oneida – people of the standing stone
Wendat – islander, or people who live on the back of a great turtle. They were called Hurons by the French, from the Old French HURE, meaning “boar’s head,” referring to the male Hurons’ bristly coiffure
READING GROUP
Questions for Discussion