A pilot Abenaki Language Camp was held July 14-18 2008 in Warner (Bradford), NH. A few families who are dedicated to supporting their children learn the language camp together to formulate a meaningful program intended for the broader community at a future date.

Joseph Elie Joubert of New York took the lead with language lessons throughout the week. He coordinated with Jeanne Brink of Vermont to develop meaning educational experiences for the families. Jeanne developed activity lessons with word lists associated with the activity. Elie developed the word lessons from Jeanne's lists. In addition coloring book pages and flash cards were developed by Sherry Gould to support the lessons. These items are available in the lessons section of this website. Activities included making leather pouches; weaving brown ash and sweetgrass bookmarks; paddle boating and canoeing on the beaver pond; learning parts of the body and a nature walk.

Members of the Wabanaki Dance troupe, under the leadership of Jeanne Brink held a dance practice to entertain the rest of the group with Margaret Higgins of New York singing. John and Donna Moody of Winter Center for Indigenous Traditions from the Upper Valley worked with Margaret to lead a discussion about making good choices around risk behaviors including how to say no to peer pressure in Abenaki. Philippe Charland of Montreal, who has considerable skills with the language joined us to help out. Paul Pouliot Denise Mahegan from the Cowasuck Band of Pennacook Abenaki People brought along some community members and taught the children an original Abenaki song about parts of the body; Brian Blanchard of New Hampshire brought his guitar to accompany some evening campfire songs; Barry Higgins of White Crow Flutes in Massachusetts will preformed some of his beautiful flute music and Tom Wilkins, his wonderful wife Sue and Mike Franklin, all of New Hampshire brought Tom's drum for an evening of entertainment and great conversation.

A big thanks goes out to Isabell Blanchard of New Hampshire and North Carolina who fed the crowd all week! Bill Gould also went above and beyond to get a wonderful place ready for the events with the magic of his excavator. The setting was wonderful.

The success of this pilot project was overwhelming. Check out the pictures of the results of the camp project. Check back for more language sources over the next few months.

LANGUAGE CAMP 2008 ACTIVITIES

LANGUAGE PROJECT 2008 PHOTOS