Vermont Edition
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Wednesday January 30, 2008, 12:30 PM
Preserving the Abenaki Language and Culture
Early to mid-20th century was not an easy time to be
a Native American in Vermont,
and many of the region's Abenaki downplayed their heritage to avoid discrimination. As a result, the
Abenaki language fell out of use. In recent decades, Abenaki wishing
to reclaim their heritage have had to go to Canada
to re-learn the language at an Abenaki settlement there. Our guest, Abenaki basket maker
Jeanne Brink of Barre, is among those who are trying to save the language from extinction. And we hear
from Ellen Lutz, the editor of Cultural Survival Quarterly, about similar efforts by indigenous groups
around the country.(Listen)
Also in the program, we look at a bill that would designate Abenaki-made crafts as officially Native American. Abenaki crafts-people and other proponents say a 2006 law that recognized Vermont's Abenaki fell short of federal requirements for marketing their art as Native American.(Listen)
And we listen to a song in the Abenaki language, recorded by Abenaki scholar Marge Bruchac.(Listen)
Photo: Abenaki basketmaker Jeanne Brink with some crafts made by her relatives.
- Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs
- Cultural Survival Quarterly issue on language extinction
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