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
Cigig – skunk
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
Seneca – people of the mountain
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
Time Meddlers Page 33