107-611: The Penobscot River ( Abenaki : Pαnawάhpskewtəkʷ ) is a 109-mile-long (175 km) river in the U.S. state of Maine . Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to 264 miles (425 km), making it the second-longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains 8,610 square miles (22,300 km). It arises from four branches in several lakes in north-central Maine, which flow generally east. After
214-669: A brisk trade. The Third Abenaki War (1722–1725), called Dummer's War , erupted when the French Jesuit missionary Sébastien Rale (or Rasles, 1657?–1724) encouraged the Abenaki to halt the spread of Yankee settlements. When the Massachusetts militia tried to seize Rasles, the Abenaki raided the settlements at Brunswick , Arrowsick , and Merry-Meeting Bay . The Massachusetts government then declared war, and bloody battles were fought at Norridgewock (1724), where Rasles
321-466: A dozen natives, with annual sales of more than $ 3 million Canadian dollars. Odanak is now active in transportation and distribution. Notable Abenaki from this area include the documentary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin ( National Film Board of Canada ). These two tribes are officially listed federally recognized as tribes in the United States. The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine was recognized by
428-586: A half century of mercury contamination , Maine’s longest river is finally getting cleaned up. The United States government maintains three river flow gages on the Penobscot river. The first is on the East Branch in Grindstone (an unincorporated settlement approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of Stacyville ) ( 45°43′49″N 68°35′22″W / 45.73028°N 68.58944°W / 45.73028; -68.58944 ( Grindstone ) ) where
535-629: A member of the French nobility. Around 1669, the Abenaki started to emigrate to Quebec due to conflicts with English colonists and epidemics of new infectious diseases. The governor of New France allocated two seigneuries (large self-administered areas similar to feudal fiefs). The first was on the Saint Francis River and is now known as the Odanak Indian Reservation; the second was founded near Bécancour and
642-468: A pipeline carrying a mixture of chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide, ruptured, releasing an estimated 15,000 gallons of the mixture into the Penobscot River. The spill created a large plume of foam and smoke, and local residents reported a strong chemical odor in the air. The spill was leaking into the Penobscot river from approximately September 29th to October 7th 2020. It
749-411: A predominantly residential neighborhood located on a small island in the middle of the Penobscot River. French Island is the intermediate land mass between Milford and Old Town; it is connected on either side by a bridge. Old Town is located at 44°56′35″N 68°40′35″W / 44.94306°N 68.67639°W / 44.94306; -68.67639 (44.943047, −68.676461). According to
856-483: A singular form that were then made plural by adding Abenaki plural endings. For example, the word oxen was borrowed as asken 'an ox' that was pluralized into aksenak . Similarly, the word potatoes was borrowed as badades 'potato' that was pluralized into badadesak . Amaseconti, Androscoggin , Kennebec , Maliseet , Ouarastegouiak, Passamaquoddy , Patsuiket , Penobscot , Pigwacket , Rocameca , Sokoni , and Wewenoc . Seven mission orientated communities along
963-1029: A synonym to Abenaki . Initially the newsletter was called Aln8ba8dwa National News ( Aln8ba8dwa or Alnôbaôdwa means 'Speaking Abenaki'). Issues of the quarterly newsletter from 2003–2010 were published by the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki on their website. According to a statement made by the Band, after 2010, they stopped publishing the newsletter on their website due to a lack of financial support from online readers. Aln8bak News included community-related information such as updates on governance issues, notices of social events, and obituaries. The newsletter also included Band history, genealogy, language lessons, recipes, plant and animal studies, books reviews, and writings by Band members. The English word skunk , attested in New England in
1070-502: A toll on the vitality of our people. We have sustenance fishing rights but cannot live on the fish. When I was a child, the river was thick with foam, had an odor at all times, and if you swam in it, your clothing would be stained and skin would break out.” The Penobscot River Restoration Trust was a nonprofit organization consisting of many organizations including the Penobscot Nation, Maine Audubon, and many more. From this,
1177-479: Is a polysynthetic language, which allows for virtually unlimited means to express oneself. Abenaki consists of both dependent and independent grammar which addresses the gender of the speaker. Abenaki has nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. The structure of the sentence or phrase varies depending on whether the noun is animate or inanimate. Although written primarily in English, Aln8bak News helped to preserve
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#17327764714931284-603: Is actively preserving and revitalizing the language. The late Joseph Elie Joubert from the Odanak reservation and fluent speaker, Jesse Bruchac , lead partial immersion classes in the language across the Northeastern United States . They have created several Abenaki books, audio, video, and web-based media to help others learn the language. In July 2013, the Penobscot Nation, the University of Maine and
1391-652: Is an endangered Eastern Algonquian language of Quebec and the northern states of New England . The language has Eastern and Western forms which differ in vocabulary and phonology and are sometimes considered distinct languages. Western Abenaki was spoken in New Hampshire, Vermont, north-western Massachusetts, and southern Quebec. Odanak, Quebec is a First Nations reserve located near the Saint-François River—;these peoples were referred to as Saint Francis Indians by English writers after
1498-758: Is called the Wolinak Indian Reservation. When the Wampanoag under Metacomet , also called "King Philip", fought the English colonists in New England in 1675 in King Philip's War , the Abenaki joined the Wampanoag. For three years there was fighting along the Maine frontier in the First Abenaki War . The Abenaki pushed back the line of white settlement by devastating raids on scattered farmhouses and small villages. The war
1605-464: Is generally accepted by linguists or Abenaki speakers, but speakers typically do understand the orthographies of Joseph Laurent and Henry Lorne Masta ––Western Abenaki writers who taught the language at Odanak . Masta and Laurent's orthographies. Stress within words in Western Abenaki is based on an alternating stress rule: As of 2004, linguists are unsure if a minimum syllable count
1712-494: Is home to the Penobscot people that live on Indian Island , and considered to be The People's lifeblood. Most historians have accepted the Penobscot region as Jean Allefonsce 's source for Norumbega , though the matter was hotly contested by some nineteenth century antiquarians, who argued that the name should be identified with their own river or region. The Penobscot River was an early trade corridor to interior Maine from
1819-529: Is in Eddington ( 45°14′12″N 68°38′57″W / 45.23667°N 68.64917°W / 45.23667; -68.64917 ( Eddington ) ), 0.4 miles (0.64 km) downstream from the Veazie Dam where the rivershed is 7,764 square miles (20,110 km). Angling , including fly fishing , is common on the river. The West Branch is known as a world class landlocked salmon river, while
1926-484: Is now Maine, followed by the Frenchman Samuel de Champlain in 1605. A few years later French Jesuit priests came among the Penobscot people as missionaries and converted them to Catholicism . The French settlement of Pentagouet, now Castine , was founded at the point where the river becomes Penobscot Bay , and the Penobscot people made a permanent settlement at Indian Old Town, Maine on an island above
2033-533: Is present in order for a word to be stressed. Stress within sentences: Old Town, Maine Old Town is a city in Penobscot County, Maine , United States. The population was 7,431 at the 2020 census . The city's developed area is chiefly located on the relatively large Marsh Island , but its boundaries extend beyond it. The island is surrounded and defined by the Penobscot River to
2140-513: Is recognized by the United States Postal Service as "Stillwater," and has its own post office and ZIP code . The Census Bureau does not recognize Stillwater and counts that area as part of Old Town. The city is crossed by Interstate 95 , U. S. Route 2 and 2A, and state routes 16 , 43 and 116. It borders the towns of Orono to the south, Glenburn to the west, Hudson to the northwest, Alton and Argyle Township to
2247-680: The American Philosophical Society received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to expand and publish the first Penobscot Dictionary. Middlebury College in Vermont, in collaboration with Bruchac, opened its School of Abenaki in 2020, which offers a two-week immersion program in the summer. As with most Indigenous languages, due to residential schooling and colonialism, and with
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#17327764714932354-710: The Arosagunticook dialect, and the Caniba , which are documented in French-language materials from the colonial period. In Reflections in Bullough's Pond , historian Diana Muir argues that Abenaki neighbors, the pre-contact Iroquois , were an imperialist, expansionist culture whose cultivation of the corn/beans/squash agricultural complex enabled them to support a large population. They made war primarily against neighboring Algonquian peoples , including
2461-609: The Patuxet tribe in what would later become Massachusetts , and took them to Spain to sell as slaves . As a result, when the Mayflower landed and English settlers began to establish colonies in the southern end of Abenaki territory, relations between the settlers and natives remained guarded. The religious leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony discouraged social interaction with the natives. By contrast,
2568-474: The Penobscot of what is now Maine . The last known natively fluent speaker of Penobscot Abenaki, Madeline Shay, died in 1993. However, several Penobscot elders still speak Penobscot, and there is an ongoing effort to preserve it and teach it in the local schools; much of the language was preserved by Frank Siebert . Other speakers of Eastern Abenaki included tribes such as the Amoscocongon who spoke
2675-542: The Ripogenus Dam by Chesuncook Lake , the West Branch is able to sustain the large landlocked salmon found there, with twelve miles of heavy rapids , deep runs, large pools, and slower moving water in some sections. Baxter State Park is located to the north. Some of the river's rapids are class IV or even V, making this one of the roughest rivers in the area, and attracting whitewater rafters. Until 1971
2782-666: The St. Lawrence River in 1750: Caughnawaga (Mohawk), Lake of the Two Mountains (Iroquois and Nipissing), St. Francois ( Sokoki , Pennacook , and New England Algonquin , Becancour ( Eastern Abenaki ), Oswegatchie ( Onondaga and Oneida ), Lorette (Huron), and St. Regis (Mohawk). Amaseconti (between upper Kennebec River and Androscoggin River , western Maine) Androscoggin (Amariscoggin, Ameriscoggin, Anasaguniticook, Arosaguntacook, Asschincantecook). Important note - Main village, on
2889-563: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 43.28 square miles (112.09 km ), of which 38.85 square miles (100.62 km ) is land and 4.43 square miles (11.47 km ) is water. With its business district located on an island, Old Town is drained by the Stillwater River and Penobscot River . A small neighborhood north of Stillwater Avenue on the mainland side of the Stillwater River
2996-623: The Waldo-Hancock Bridge was opened to carry US Route 1 across the river at the Penobscot Narrows between Prospect, in Waldo County , and Verona Island just below Bucksport. During the 20th century, lumbering was largely supplanted by papermaking , in the form of large wood pulp and paper mills located all along the river from Millinocket and East Millinocket in the north, to South Brewer and Bucksport in
3103-648: The Washington Monument which had been largely built with granite quarried from nearby Mt. Waldo. As part of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, several dams were modified or removed to improve river conditions. Demolition began on the Great Works Dam in 2012, and the Veazie Dam in 2013. A fish ladder was installed at Milford Dam . A fish bypass was installed at Howland Dam . This led to an increase in
3210-511: The census of 2010, there were 7,840 people, 3,382 households, and 1,884 families living in the city. The population density was 201.8 inhabitants per square mile (77.9/km ). There were 3,665 housing units at an average density of 94.3 per square mile (36.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White , 0.9% African American , 1.6% Native American , 1.8% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.3% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of
3317-498: The governor and the state government in general. The Abenaki want to gain formal state recognition as a people. Opponents of the bill feared it could lead to Abenaki land claims for property now owned and occupied by European Americans. Others worried that the Abenaki may use recognition as a step toward opening a casino. But the bill specifically says that "this act shall not be interpreted to provide any Native American or Abenaki person with any other special rights or privileges that
Penobscot River - Misplaced Pages Continue
3424-690: The head of navigation , around the Catholic mission. Throughout the first half of the 17th centuries, these were likely the only permanent settlements on the river, although the Penobscots considered the entire river and bay their hunting ground and maintained other seasonal villages along its banks. In 1669, the Mohawk made several raids from the west that were very destructive to the Penobscot people. During Father Rale's War , New England settlers from Massachusetts also sent periodic raiding parties to
3531-549: The 1630s, is probably borrowed from the Abenaki segôkw . About 500 Penobscot words are still being used in the community in everyday language such as Muhmum for 'grandpa' and nolke for 'deer'. The 2015 National Geographic Channel miniseries Saints & Strangers told the story of the founding of Plymouth Plantation and the celebration of the "First Thanksgiving". It contained a considerable amount of dialogue in Western Abenaki. Several actors, including Tatanka Means ( Hobbamock ), and Raoul Trujillo ( Massasoit ) spoke
3638-438: The 1700s. The few remaining speakers of Western Abenaki live predominantly in Odanak and the last fully fluent speaker, Cécile (Wawanolett) Joubert died in 2006. A revitalization effort was started in Odanak in 1994; however, as of 2004 younger generations are not learning the language and the remaining speakers are elderly, making Western Abenaki nearly extinct. Eastern Abenaki languages are spoken by several peoples, including
3745-777: The 1800s to marshal the water power for mills to process lumber from the millions of board feet of spruce and pine logs floated annually down the Penobscot. Today many residents work for the University of Maine in Orono and the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, the two largest employers in the area. Old Town is home to the Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited -owned Old Town paper mill . The city of Old Town includes Treat-Webster Island (a.k.a. "French Island"),
3852-420: The 19th century the river was a conduit for the transport of logs from Maine's Great North Woods , to be sawed into lumber at mills around Old Town and Orono , and transported on ships from Bangor, at the head of tide . (The average high tide at Bangor is 13 feet (4 m) as of 2009.) A secondary economic use made of the river late in the century was as a source of sawed ice for urban markets. In 1931
3959-596: The 21st century, with the continuing decline of the Maine paper industry, and the divestiture of its woodlands, the Penobscot watershed has become more and more associated with recreational use (fishing, hunting, boating, and tourism) and less with manufacturing. In 2001, the Old Town Paper Mill won a case against the Penobscot Nation, under the Maine Freedom Access Act, where they were given access to documented tribal correspondence with
4066-414: The Abenaki language through the inclusion of Abenaki words and their translations. Aln8bak News was a quarterly newsletter that discussed cultural, historical, and contemporary information regarding the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki. It was started in 1993 by Paul Pouilot, Sagamo of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki. The word Aln8bak/Alnôbak (pronounced: /'al.nɔ̃.bak/ ) is often used as
4173-779: The Abenaki. Muir uses archaeological data to argue that the Iroquois expansion onto Algonquian lands was checked by the Algonquian adoption of agriculture, which enabled them to support populations large enough to raise sufficient warriors to defend against the threat of Iroquois conquest. In 1614, six years before the Mayflower arrived in New England, English explorer and slaver Captain Thomas Hunt captured 24 indigenous people, including Wampanoag member Tisquantum from
4280-619: The Atlantic coast. Ocean ships could navigate upstream to Bangor . The cities of Rockland , Belfast , Brewer and Bangor, and the towns of Rockport , Camden , Northport , Searsport , Stockton Springs , Castine , Bucksport , Frankfort , Winterport , Orrington , and Hampden developed adjacent to the Penobscot River estuary . The river upstream of Bangor became an important transportation corridor for log driving to bring wooden logs and pulpwood from interior forests to sawmills and paper mills built to use water power where
4387-781: The Canadian Abenaki to develop a modern economy while preserving their culture and traditions. For example, since 1960, the Odanak Historical Society has managed the first and one of the largest aboriginal museums in Quebec, a few miles from the Quebec - Montreal axis. Over 5,000 people visit the Abenaki Museum annually. Several Abenaki companies include: in Wôlinak, General Fiberglass Engineering employs
Penobscot River - Misplaced Pages Continue
4494-588: The Canadian and New England regions. In Maine , there are about 3,000 Penobscot Native Americans, and this group is a large driving force of the language resurrection. In addition to Brink and others, Jesse Bruchac is a loud voice in the Abenaki culture. Along with writing and publishing various Abenaki books, he created a movie and sound piece telling the Native American side of Thanksgiving, spoken in Abenaki. In this film, Saints & Strangers ,
4601-576: The EPA in regards to the regulations of water quality. It was announced in 2007 that a study would be conducted by the EPA in regards to the Penobscot river system. This study would examine the levels of contamination from PCBs, mercury, and dioxin in various culturally important species. In 2006 the Waldo-Hancock Bridge was closed and replaced by the Penobscot Narrows Bridge , a 2,120 foot long, $ 85,000,000 structure with 135 feet between
4708-534: The East Branch is known for its smallmouth bass fishery . In 2008, the Atlantic Salmon Commission opened the main stem of the river to catch and release fly fishing for Atlantic salmon . The West Branch is home to landlocked salmon and Brook Trout . There are many deep pools within the river, due to the many slate ledges, making the river ideal for fishing from shore, though there are still areas that are good for canoe fishing. With
4815-476: The Eastern and Western dialects of Abenaki have 18 consonant sounds in total. It is important to note that historically Western Abenaki speakers varied in the ways they pronounced the alveolar affricate phonemes /ts/ and /dz/. More than half of the population pronounced ⟨c⟩ like /ts/ and ⟨j⟩ like /dz/ and the rest pronounced ⟨c⟩ like /ʃ/ and ⟨j⟩ like /ʒ/. There is not one Western Abenaki orthography that
4922-581: The French had already planted the colonies of New France in the northern part of Abenaki territory, and maintained reasonably cordial relations with the natives. Intermarriage between the French and natives gave rise to the Métis people. Over the next hundred years, conflicts between the French and the English often included their colonies and their respective native allies. The French treated their Abenaki allies with some respect; in 1706, Louis XIV knighted Chief Assacumbuit for his service, thus elevating him as
5029-675: The New England frontier during Father Le Loutre's War (see Northeast Coast Campaign (1750) ) and the French and Indian War . Due to French and English contact with Western Abenaki people in the 1640s and earlier, many loan words were quickly incorporated into Western Abenaki and have stayed for nearly four centuries. During the latter half of the 19th century, word borrowing increased due to many Western Abenaki people being in close contact with summer resorts in Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as continued contact with French-Canadians. Notably, plural English nouns were borrowed into Western Abenaki as
5136-586: The Penobscot Indian Nation, (PIN), limit consumption of fish and snapping turtles caught in the river to 1-2 meals per month. Due to this recommendation, the overall consumption rates of fish have decreased for the Penobscot Nation The pollution of the Penobscot River has taken a very large toll on the amount of food and resources which can be collected from the river. Mauian Dana, a Tribal Ambassador, said “[T]he pollution has taken
5243-456: The Penobscot River Restoration Project was created, with the goals of a cleaner, healthier river, supporting the PIN culture as well as traditions, and restoring the ecosystem for native plants and animals. The project was discontinued in 2016, however they were able to help the river’s ecosystem and the health of the areas around it. The Penobscot Nation has been fighting big polluters to help restore
5350-496: The Penobscot River back to its original condition. This is being done through lawsuits against big pollution companies, restoring water quality, and removing dams. In 2018, the Penobscot River was voted to become a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, as the river is viewed as a relative to the tribe, with its own fundamental rights. Member of the Penobscot Nation John Banks highlighted the importance and value of
5457-502: The Penobscot River for at least 150 years, making the consumption of various fish toxic to those who eat them, such as members of the Penobscot nation. In 1987, recommendations for limited fish consumption were given to the Penobscot Nation. It is recommended that members of the Penobscot Nation eat no more than a single serving of fish from the Penobscot River each month. The development of cheap hydropower also attracted other types of light manufacturing, like textiles and shoes . In
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#17327764714935564-478: The Penobscot River in only 12 months, from 1998 to 1999. Because the Penobscot Tribe is a river based tribe, their culture is directly tied to the River which has become polluted. Through hunting, trapping, fishing, and many other traditional practices, the culture is sustained. Without the continuation of these activities, their culture will begin to become lost. Due to the pollution of the Penobscot river,
5671-445: The Penobscot people is further threatened by the impact that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have on reproduction and the health of their children. The 2015 collaborative report, The Penobscot River and Environmental Contaminants: Assessment of Tribal Exposure Through Sustenance Lifeways, confirms through a four-year quantitative study that these unequal burdens and harmful level of toxins are very real threats and realities faced by
5778-527: The Penobscot village. Over time, the Penobscot village ceased to be called Old Town, and the name migrated to the much newer American settlement across the river. Old Town may be best known for Old Town Canoe Co. , a major manufacturer of canoes and kayaks , which has been based in the city for more than 100 years. The city's location along a series of rapids in the Penobscot River, near the head of tide just downstream in Bangor , made it an ideal location in
5885-567: The Penobscot, destroying the primary native village in 1723. In a treaty of 1752, however, Massachusetts laid claim to the entire Penobscot watershed, and in 1759 the Pownall Expedition, led by Governor Thomas Pownall , established Fort Pownall on Cape Jellison in what is now Stockton Springs . This signaled the end of French influence over the Penobscot, and the incorporation of the Penobscot River valley into New England . The first permanent settler from British North America on
5992-461: The Penobscot. May to June are usually when mayflies begin their first hatch. Caddisflies also start their massive hatch around this time, but it can extend into the fall at times. Stoneflies tend to hatch throughout the season. In the West Branch, fishermen are often required to use a variety of different techniques . Abenaki language Abenaki (Eastern: Alənαpαtəwéwαkan , Western: Alnôbaôdwawôgan ), also known as Wôbanakiak ,
6099-557: The Penobscot. Rebecca Sockbeson , a Penobscot, is quoted saying that her people have survived on fish from this river, but "now we are dying from it." She continued on to say that "neither dioxin nor cancer is indigenous to the Penobscot people, however they are both pervasive in my tribal community." As an Indigenous community trying to maintain traditional subsistence living and eating such as fishing or foraging, their way of life and their physical bodies are unequally burdened by issues of water quality and pollution. The health and survival of
6206-675: The St. Croix River, and Schoodic Lake. Villages: Gunasquamekook, Imnarkuan, Machias, Sebaik, and Sipayik. There were other towns at Lewis Island and Calais in Maine with a few locations on the Canadian side of the St. Croix River. Originally composed of Abenaki tribes in Vermont and New Hampshire west of the White Mountains, Sokoki means ' people who separated ' . Various forms of Sokoki are: Assokwekik, Ondeake, Onejagese, Sakukia, Sokokiois, Sokoquios, Sokoquis, Sokokquis, Sokoni, Sokwaki, Soquachjck, and Zooquagese. Some accounts include groups of
6313-457: The St. John River in northeastern Maine and western New Brunswick. Devon, Kingsclear, Madawaska, Mary's, Medoctec (Medoktek, Meductic), Okpaak, Oromocto, St. Anne, St. Basile, The Brothers (Micmac), Tobique, Viger, and Woodstock. Passamaquoddy (Machias Tribe, Opanango, Pesmokant, Quoddy, Scotuks, Scootuck, St. Croix Indians, Unchechauge, Unquechauge). The name means ' pollock spearing place ' with their villages were located on Passamaquoddy Bay,
6420-505: The United States did not fare as well as their Canadian counterparts. The Missisquoi Abenaki Tribe (also called the "Sokoki-St. Francis Band of the Abenaki Nation") organized a tribal council in 1976 at Swanton, Vermont . Vermont granted recognition of the council the same year, but later withdrew it. In 1982, the band applied for federal recognition, which is still pending. Four Abenaki communities are located in Vermont. In 2006,
6527-443: The West Branch was a main thoroughfare for the Great Northern Paper Company to sluice its logs to its mill in Millinocket, Maine . In 1971 Great Northern opened the Golden Road (Maine) for transporting the logs. The road parallels the river. The paper industry has been greatly diminished and the Millinocket mill was torn down in 2013. The Golden Road, still a private road, continues to be used by logging trucks and also people using
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#17327764714936634-404: The average family size was 2.83. In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18; 18.3% from 18 to 24; 27.0% from 25 to 44; 20.8% from 45 to 64; and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males. The median income for a household in the city
6741-486: The bands' arts and crafts. On May 7, 2012, the Abenaki Nation at Missisquoi and the Koasek of the Koas Abenaki Traditional Band received recognition by the State of Vermont. In New Hampshire the Abenaki, along with other Native American groups, have proposed legislation for recognition as a minority group. This bill was debated in 2010 in the state legislature . The bill would have created a state commission on Native American relations, which would act as an advisory group to
6848-424: The city of Howland and the towns of Veazie , Orono , Old Town , Milford , Passadumkeag , West Enfield , Lincoln , Winn , Mattawamkeag , Medway , and Millinocket developed. The first European known to have explored the river in 1524 was Estêvão Gomes , a Portuguese navigator who sailed in the service of Spain in the 1520s. The Spaniards, led by Gomez, were the first Europeans to make landfall in what
6955-422: The city. The population density was 212.3 inhabitants per square mile (82.0/km ). There were 3,686 housing units at an average density of 96.3 per square mile (37.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 94.62% White , 0.65% African American , 1.48% Native American , 1.83% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.28% from other races , and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of
7062-453: The community’s indigenous people. Sockbeson concludes that a treaty is required to ensure that "the breast and spoon we feed our babies with is not filled with cancer, diabetes, learning disabilities, and attention deficit [disorder]." Paper making was an industry which was responsible for a large amount of the contamination in the Penobscot River. The problem was traced back to HoltraChem, a chemical plant located in Orrington, Maine HoltraChem
7169-491: The east and the Stillwater River to the west. The Abenaki people called it Pannawambskek, meaning "where the ledges spread out," referring to rapids and drops in the river bed. The French established a Jesuit Catholic mission here in the 1680s. Nearly a century later after Great Britain took over French territory following its victory in the Seven Years' War , the area was settled by English pioneers in 1774. The name Old Town derives from "Indian Old Town", which
7276-469: The eastern Abenaki are Arsikantegou, Kwupahag (Kwapahag). Closer in language and culture to the Micmac, the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy have been listed as Abenaki for historical reasons. The French usually referred to both tribes as the Etchemin. Maliseet (Aroostook, Malecite, Malicite, St. John's Indians). From the Mi'kmaq word malisit meaning ' broken talker ' . Their own name Wulastegniak means ' good river people ' . They were located along
7383-476: The fading of generations, the number of speakers has declined. Abenaki had as few as twelve native speakers in 2015, but with recent focus and extra efforts in the Abenaki community, this number seems to be growing. Today, there are some passionate Abenaki, like Jeanne Brink , and non-Abenaki people who are trying to revitalize Abenaki culture, including their language and basket-making traditions. Currently, there are about 12,000 people of varying Abenaki heritage in
7490-411: The federal courts as a tribe, but not having a land trust with the government since never entering into a formal treaty. This launched the very long legal battle that paved the way for many other tribes across America to file suits regarding asset mismanagement. After winning the landmark case, similar cases were filed in 2006 by 60 tribes from throughout the United States. Among the Passamaquoddy's assets
7597-415: The flow of any chemicals which might come through. Finally, unused pipes were sealed off, as they were helping the chemicals to flow through into the river. While ND Paper has taken steps to improve its environmental performance since the spill, concerns remain about its impact on the environment and the local community. The Penobscot River is an important resource for fishing, boating, and a food source, and
7704-428: The language exclusively throughout the series, and Kalani Qweypo ( Squanto ) spoke both Abenaki and English. Western Abenaki language teacher Jesse Bruchac of Ndakinna Education Center was hired as a language consultant on the film. Eastern Abenaki dialects include Penobscot, Norridgewock, Caniba, Androscoggin, and Pequawket. Western Abenaki dialects are Arsigantegok, Missisquoi, Sokoki, Pennacook, and Odanak. Both
7811-460: The natives in New Hampshire. The numerous groups of natives in the state have created a New Hampshire Inter-tribal Council, which holds statewide meetings and powwows . Dedicated to preserving the culture of the natives in New Hampshire, the group is one of the chief supporters of the HB 1610; the Abenaki, the main tribe in the state, are the only people named specifically in the bill. A new generation
7918-487: The north, and (separated by water) is near Milford east, and Bradley to the southeast. This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Old Town has a humid continental climate , abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. As of
8025-470: The number of Atlantic Salmon , Shad , and other fish species in the river. The Old Town Paper Mill, located in Old Town, Maine, has had a long history of environmental issues. The mill has a long history of environmental concerns and has been cited for numerous violations of environmental regulations, including air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, and chemical spills. The mill has also been
8132-442: The population. There were 3,382 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.3% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
8239-409: The population. There were 3,426 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and
8346-646: The present Penobscot Indian Reservation. During the American Revolutionary War , the river and bay were the site of the disastrous 1779 Penobscot Expedition , where an entire American fleet was destroyed in a botched attempt to retake Maine from the British. During the War of 1812 , the British again invaded Maine and defeated an American force at the Battle of Hampden , sacking the town of Bangor in
8453-480: The process. To prevent this from happening a third time, and because the nearby boundary between the United States and British Canada was still contested into the 1840s, the Federal government in 1844 began constructing a huge granite fort, Fort Knox , opposite the town of Bucksport , near the mouth of the river. The fort never fired a shot in anger, but remains one of the Penobscot's major man-made landmarks. In
8560-527: The river due to a ruptured sewer line. ND Paper Mill reported the spill to the Department of Environmental Protection who assisted in cleanup and repairs to the damaged sewer line. The DEP conducted an investigation into the incident, and found that the spill was caused by a failure in the mill's equipment. It was also found that the mill had failed to properly train employees on the correct way to handle and store hazardous materials. The spill occurred when
8667-754: The river of the same name was called Arosaguntacook Town. Arosaguntacook is sometimes applied in error to the St. Francois Indians. Kennebec (Caniba, Sagadahoc, Kanibesinnoak, Norridgewock, Nurhantsuak) lived along the Kennebec River in northern Maine. Penobscot (Pentagoet, Panaomeska). Meaning "rocky place", or "ledge place". Penobscot Tribe subdivisions and villages included: Moosehead Lake area tribes were known as "Moosehead Lake Indians". Villages: Agguncia, Asnela, Catawamtek, Kenduskeag, Mattawamkeag, Meecombe, Negas, Olamon, Oldtown, Passadumkeag, Pentagouet, Precaute, Segocket, and Wabigganus. Pigwacket (Pegouakki, Peguaki, Pequawket). Main village called Pequawket Town
8774-437: The river was Joshua Treat (1726–1802), who was initially the armorer and translator at Fort Pownall. His oldest son, Joshua Treat, Jr., built a log house and sawmill at Marsh Bay in what is now Frankfort , and other members of their extended family, joined by additional settlers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire , pushed ever further up-river, eventually restricting the Penobscot people to Indian Island ( Old Town, Maine ),
8881-543: The river, saying “It was our life source. For thousands of years, it provided a means for the tribe to sustain itself. And our history, traditions, and cultural identity are very much intertwined with it,” In 2021, a cleanup plan was set into place 22 years after a lawsuit was filed against Mallinckrodt US LLC. This cleanup plan consists of long term monitoring as well as cleaning up the area, along with providing funding to projects for communities and environments which have been affected by this pollution. In 2022, after more than
8988-544: The river. The introduction of mercury into the Penobscot River is extremely dangerous and was described as “imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and the environment,” as this watershed is a main source of shellfish and fish alike. Mercury is a neurotoxin which is extremely dangerous to ingest, especially for young, developing children or fetuses. Because of this, the elderly, children, and pregnant women must be extremely careful about ingesting anything which could potentially contain mercury. A court ordered study
9095-514: The rivershed is 1,086 square miles (2,810 km). Flow here has ranged from 400 to 1,300 cubic feet per second (37 m/s). The second is in West Enfield ( 45°14′12″N 68°38′57″W / 45.23667°N 68.64917°W / 45.23667; -68.64917 ( West Enfield ) ) where the rivershed is 6,671 square miles (17,280 km). Flow here has ranged from 4,410 to 9,660 cubic feet per second (274 m/s). The third
9202-455: The south. Wood pulp and paper mills create dioxins as a byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process in making paper. This substance was discharged from seven mills located close to the Tribal community of Penobscot people, along the Penobscot river. Dioxins, which are highly potent toxic chemicals that may cause cancer and other health problems, were being poured daily into this adjacent river,
9309-485: The spill posed a threat to the river's ecosystem. The chemicals released in the spill can cause significant harm to aquatic life, and can also contaminate drinking water supplies. The spill also had a significant impact on the local economy, as many businesses rely on the river for their livelihoods. The lasting effects that this spill has had on the Penobscot Nation has caused them to lose one of their main food sources, as it has been recommended that less fish be consumed from
9416-588: The state does not confer on or grant to other state residents." New Hampshire has considered expanding gambling separate from the Native Americans. The council would be under the Department of Cultural Resources, so it would be in the same department as the State Council on the Arts. The bill would allow for the creation and sale of goods to be labeled as native-made to create a source of income for
9523-687: The state of Vermont officially recognized the Abenaki as a people, but not a tribe. The Vermont Elnu ( Jamaica ) and Nulhegan ( Brownington ) bands' applications for official recognition were recommended and referred to the Vermont General Assembly by the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs on January 19, 2011, as a result of a process established by the Vermont legislature in 2010. Recognition allows applicants to seek scholarship funds reserved for American Indians and to receive federal "native made" designation for
9630-507: The subject of numerous citizen complaints and legal actions over the years. On October 7th, 2020, it was discovered that the Nine Dragons (ND) Paper Mill in Old Town, Maine had spilled chemicals into the Penobscot River. The spill was discovered after elevated pH levels were discovered in the water, in which ND decided to investigate further. It was found that over 30,000 gallons of chemicals, which were used for pulping, had spilled into
9737-414: The three actors not only memorized their lines in Abenaki but also learned the syntax behind the language. This revitalization of the famous Thanksgiving story from a new tongue and perspective offered a more original and full version of what Thanksgiving might have really been like so many years ago. In his novel, L8dwaw8gan Wji Abaznodakaw8gan: The Language of Basket Making , Bruchac notes that Abenaki
9844-639: The towns of Alton , Bradley , and Old Town. The RSU is composed of five schools: Alton Elementary School, Viola Rand Elementary School, Old Town Elementary School, Leonard Middle School, and Old Town High School . In 2006–2007 the school changed its mascot from the Old Town Indians to the Old Town Coyotes. A new community project to renovate the high school track and bolster the school's athletic facilities broke ground in 2013. Old Town's school colors are green and white. Old Town uses
9951-615: The uniting of the West Branch with the East Branch at Medway ( 45°36′14″N 68°31′52″W / 45.604°N 68.531°W / 45.604; -68.531 ( Penobscot River source ) ), the Penobscot flows 109 miles (175 km) south, past the city of Bangor , where it becomes navigable. Also at Bangor is the tributary Kenduskeag Stream . It empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Penobscot Bay . It
10058-462: The water and the bridge’s deck, and the original bridge was subsequently demolished in 2013. A bridge observatory in the support tower on the Waldo County side 420 feet above the surface of the river is open to the public, the only bridge observatory in the United States, and only one of four bridge observatories in the world. The two 447 foot tall granite towers of the bridge are patterned after
10165-482: The waterways, plants, and environment which the nation relies on for their way of life have become contaminated. The Penobscot Nation dates back to more than 9,500 years, and because of the constant pollution, their way of life is soon to be lost. June Sapiel, an activist and member of the Penobscot Nation, is quoted describing the importance of the river, saying “Our water is sacred. That was our highways and our byways…It’s our relative.” Pollution has been gathering in
10272-616: The western Pennacook as Sokoki: Amoskeag, Naamkeek, Nashaway, Souheyan, and Winnipesaukee. Sokoki is often confused with the Saco, a name given to eastern Abenaki who lived near the Saco River (a combination of Pigwacket, Kennebec, and Androscoggin). Cowasuck (Cahass, Cohassiac, Coos, Coosuc, Koes). Hoosac was a mixed settlement with the Mahican. Missisquoi (Mazipskoik, Misiskuoi, Missiassik, Missique, Missisco) means ' place of flint ' . It
10379-547: Was $ 13.5 million in federal funds that were allocated to the tribe in 1980 through the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which was settled for $ 81.5 million. Many Abenaki living in Vermont have been assimilated , and only small remnants remained on reservations during and after the French and Indian War . Facing annihilation, many Abenaki had begun emigrating to Canada, then under French control, around 1669. The Abenaki who chose to remain in
10486-402: Was $ 29,886, and the median income for a family was $ 40,589. Males had a median income of $ 32,961 versus $ 23,723 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,100. About 11.8% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over. Old Town is part of Regional School Unit (RSU) #34, which includes
10593-435: Was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age in the city was 33 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 8,130 people, 3,426 households, and 1,993 families living in
10700-472: Was also noted that the leak was occurring intermittently for about 56 days during 2021 before being discovered. In response to the issue, ND Paper replaced multiple failed floor drains and about 400 feet of steel piping for the sewer system. Since these issues, the company has decided to complete more routine maintenance and inspections in order to prevent future occurrences. Alongside routine inspections, shut-off valves were installed along with alarms to detect
10807-525: Was completed by the company Mallinckrodt, which over the course of nine years found that the Penobscot River had levels of mercury which were up to 20 times higher than the surrounding areas. From this study, high levels of mercury were detected in wildlife as well, such as ducks, fish, and snapping turtles. Because of these extremely high levels of mercury which were discovered, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), recommend that members of
10914-403: Was killed, and at a daylong battle at Pequawket, an Indian village near present-day Fryeburg, Maine , on the upper Saco River (1725). Peace conferences at Boston and Casco Bay brought an end to the war. After Rale died, the Abenaki moved to a settlement on the St. Francis River. The Abenaki from St. Francois continued to raid British colonial settlements in their former homelands along
11021-698: Was located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. Schaghticoke. Mixed Mahican and New England Algonquin on the Hudson River north of Albany, New York. Squakheag (Squaeg, Squawkeag). Mixed population and probably at various times was occupied by any of these tribes. Aquadocta, Cobbosseecontee, Ebenecook, Ketangheanycke, Mascoma, Masherosqueck, Mecadacut, Moshoquen, Muscongus, Negusset, Ossaghrage, Ouwerage, Pasharanack, Pauhuntanuc, Pemaquid, Pocopassum, Sabino, Sagadahoc, Satquin, Segotago, Sowocatuck, Taconnet, Unyjaware, and Wacoogo. ...end of section needing more work--> The development of tourism projects has allowed
11128-423: Was located on the upper Saco River. Rocameca Upper Androscoggin River. Wewenoc (Ouanwinak, Sheepscot, Wawenock, Wawnock) Coastal areas of southern Maine. Wolinak (Becancour) Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Amaseconti (Amesokanti, Anmissoukanti), Norridgewock (Naridgewalk, Neridgewok, Noronjawoke), Kennebec, and Sagadahoc. Ossipee: located on a lake of the same name in east-central New Hampshire. Other names associated with
11235-407: Was responsible for producing many of the chemicals used in papermaking, such as chlorine and mercury. Beginning in 1967, HoltraChem dumped up to 13 tons of mercury into the Penobscot river rather than safely disposing of the chemicals. These chemicals were dumped both legally and illegally, resulting in mass contamination of the river. HoltraChem was the company behind 11 massive chemical spills into
11342-400: Was settled by a peace treaty in 1678. During Queen Anne's War in 1702, the Abenaki were allied with the French; they raided numerous small villages in Maine from Wells to Casco , killing about 300 settlers over ten years. The raids stopped when the war ended. Some captives were adopted into the Mohawk and Abenaki tribes; older captives were generally ransomed, and the colonies carried on
11449-413: Was the English name for the largest Penobscot Indian village, now known as Indian Island . Located within the city limits but on its own island in the Penobscot River , the reservation is the current and historical home of the Penobscot Nation. In 1820, when the present city was set off from neighboring Orono (named for a Penobscot sachem ), it was given the name Old Town because it contained
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