Village Vocabulary

Algonquian word, used by the Nipmuck or Pennacook, meaning "low land" or "place to unload canoes"

The Algonquian-speaking people refer to the various Algonquian-speaking Natives Peoples of North America who also shared cultural similarities. These Native Peoples belonged to numerous New England tribes, including the Wampanoag, Narragansett, Abenaki, Pequot and Mohegan. Historically, these peoples were prominent along the Atlantic Coast, along the Saint Lawrence River and around the Great Lakes Region.

The Algonquin Tribe was a small tribe in Northern Michigan and Canada, that was forced further north after the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Algonquin Tribe often is confused with the Algonquian-speaking peoples. Although the source of the word is unclear, some scholars believe it’s derived from the Malecite word meaning, “they are our relatives.” Others assert Algonquin means “at the place of spearing fishes and eels from the bow of a canoe,” and lastly, “those that are dancing.” The Algonquins call themselves “Anishnabe,” or “original person.”

A look-out or place of observation

Located in the southwestern portion of Martha's Vineyard (Noepe), Aquinnah (also known as Gay Head) has been inhabited by the Wampanoag people for thousands of years.

A person who studies history through the examination of objects remaining from past cultures.

a person studies plant remains that are found at an archeology site

A man-made object, such as a tool, that reveals something about the people who made and/or used it.

The place between the forks of the brook.

Algonquian word used by the Wampanoag meaning "separated island"

the leftover material when something organic is burned, like wood, plants or animals

A wild, dashing stream

curling inward

Tying materials made from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, animal sinew, Indian hemp, milkweed, wild flax and the inner bark of the Basswood Swamp Ash.

The outer green leaves surrounding the corn cob, which are usually peeled and discarded. The could be woven into moccassins, mats, baskets and dolls. Discarded corncobs could used as scrubbers and container stoppers.

Bones, teeth, antlers seeds, pollen, mollusks are all ecofacts. Note: If a deer bone found in an archaeological context is unmodified, it is an ecofact. However, if the bone was modified by humans for use, then the bone is instead an artifact.

the animals of a particular place or time

a long, shallow groove on a surface

to protect a place from danger

North: White, air, animals, receive energy, mental aspect, wisdom and logic East: Yellow, sun/fire, determines energy, spirtual aspect, illumination and enlightenment South: Red, water, plants, gives energy, emotional aspect, trust and innocence West: Black, earth/physical, holds energy, physical aspect, introspection and insight Centre: Learning self balance, beauty and harmony

Animals that are hunted for food.

a huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land / the time period during which glaciers covered large parts of the earth’s land

A vine that is related to pumpkin and squash that bears inedible fruit with a hard outer shell. When gourds are dried out and hollowed they can be used to make tools and utensils.

to attach a tool (generally made of stone, bone or metal) to a handle in some way

Algonquian word "place of sand bars"

a large group of animals, especially groups of large hoofed mammals (such as deer, moose, or caribou)

Over or beyond the mountain

Native to the area

The top is so hidden in the clouds

At the high place, or hill.

Originated with the Haudenosaunee. Field played on ranged from 100 yards to 2 miles. Teams could be a handful or hundreds of players. Lacross was seen as a gift from the Creator. Seen as a medicine game – a game played in order to heal and/or strengthen people, and to settle disputes between Haudenosaunee clans.

a cord or rope used to secure something / to secure something with cord or rope

The manner of living in a society; the cultural practices of a groups, as well as its spoken and unspoken laws

The act of moving from one country, region, or place to another.

Huckleberry Hill

able to move easily

A soft leather slipper traditionally worn by certain Native American peoples. Moccasins were usually made out of deerskin or moose hide.

The benevolent giant who created Noepe (Martha's Vineyard) and neighboring islands. He was particularly fond of the Aquinnah Wampanoag People and taught them how to fish and catch whales.

Algonquian word used by the Wampanoag meaning "in the midst of waters"

Algonquian word meaning "at the narrow point"

A cornmeal porridge made by the Wampanoag people. Can add berries, nuts and seeds and be sweetened with maple syrup.

A source of wealth provided by nature, such as forests, minerals, or water supplies.

Flooded or overflowed land

The point or corner

Algonquian word meaning "point of land on tidal river"

Pool-place

Word used by the Wampanoag for Martha's Vineyard Island

Place between rivers

House with 3 fires

Place of concealment

The process by which culture, history, rituals and stories are passed down verbally, instead of in written form, from generation to generation.

something that is or was living

Cleared land

Lake of the still water

Wamponoag word for a "round bag," pouch

Falls on the brook

Deliberately worked stone was made into sharp points for use in spears and arrows.

A large, edible clam from the Atlantic coast of North America, having a hard purple and white rounded shell.

A place of drawing nets or where fish are taken in nets

Algonquian word meaning "long, tidal river" used by the Mohegans/Pequots for what would later be called the Connecticut River

Algonquian word meaning "where we change our route" later used to mean Quinnipiac River

a scientific process in which a person can determine how old an organic item is

Made of a variety of materials. It is a piece that utilizes what Native People refer to as the Three Kingdoms or Nations: Animal Kingdom, represented by the container or feather decorations used; Mineral Kingdom, represented by rocks used for sound, or paint; Plant Kingdom, represented by the container (gourd) or a wooden handle.

when something or someone moves back

Native American chief. A "sachem's house" referred to the largest wigwam in a village where community members would gather. "Sachemdoms" referred to a tribe's geographic territory.

Where the river branches

inactive, little movement

the part of an animal that connects muscle to bone (tendon or ligament)

Although this is the fruit of a squash plant, it is eaten as a vegetable. Squash comes in many shapes and sizes and includes long-neck squash, yellow squash, and green zucchini.

A dish made primarily of corn and beans and can have other sources of protein or vegetables added. The word succotash comes from the Wampanoag word msickquatash, meaning “boiled corn kernels."

a method of preserving an animal’s skin once it has been removed

Place where the ground is level

to be full of something

Traditionally, corn, bean, and squash were important crops planted together by the women of the tribe (and for that reason called "the three sisters"). The broad leaves of corn provided shelter from the sun; the corn stalk was a living stake for the bean and squash vines; and the squash vines provided good cover, ensuring maximum capture of rain and minimum erosion. The beans help replenish nitrogen used by corn.

a generally bare piece of land where the ground is somewhat frozen

Many Indigenous People refer to North America as Turtle Island. The name is based on a common Native Peoples' Creation myth or story.

a hollowed-out container, especially one that holds a liquid, like a bowl

As a word, Wampanoag means , People of the First Light, People of the Dawn, People of the Rising Sun. There are five federally recognized Wampanoag tribes: The Mashpee Wampanoag; the Aquinnah Wampanoag; the Herring Pond Wampanoag; the Assawompsett-Nemasket Band of Wampanoags; and the Pocasset Wampanoag.

Means White Shell Bead. Wampum are purple and white beads made from the Quohog and Whelk (different from the conch in that it is a meat-eater living in temperate waters). The rareness of the purple beads makes them more valuable. Beads were made from shells that were polished and strung together in strands, belts or sashes, and used by Native Americans as ornament in ceremonial pledges or as a medium of exchange.

“River Indian” tribe that lived in Wethersfield, Portland, Rocky Hill and Glastonbury. According to historians, the Wangunks had a palisaded fort at Red Hill. Archaeological evidence from this site suggests a wetu situated next to colonial settler’s house with traded goods on both.

Domed home with one fire.

Domed home with 2 fires.

1620s, from Algonquian (probably Eastern Abenaki) wikewam "a dwelling," said to mean literally "their house;" also said to be found in such formations as wikiwam and Ojibwa wiigiwaam and Delaware wiquoam.

Algonquian word meaning "good cedar swamp"