Abenaki Totem -- a guide
Below, Abenaki Chief Don Stevens shares the significance of the totem. You can visit and see it for yourself up the hill behind the Farm Barn.
The Bear symbolizes medicine, power, protection, and the Abenaki Bear Clan (interior woodland tribes). The Bear stands at the Western Gate and provides our people with medicines. The majority of the People of the Pines are represented by the Bear. The Abenaki name for Bear is Awasos.
The Otter symbol reminds us to be playful and not be tricked into situations that would destroy the unity of the people. We should always be mindful of the otter in working with other governments. The Abenaki name for Otter is Wnekikw.
The Turtle symbolizes Mother Earth, Turtle Island, and the Abenaki Turtle Clan, which includes those Abenaki Tribes living predominately along the Lake Champlain Basin. The Abenaki name for the Turtle is Tolba.
The Pine Tree symbolizes the tree of life and the “People of the Pines”. There are many spellings in the Abenaki language for this, including Kowa, Coosuk, Cowasuck, and Koasek.
The Wabanaki Confederacy sign is a symbol of unity between the “People of the First Light”. These nations are the Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Wolastoqiyik, and Western Abenaki people.
May this totem always be a symbol of the historic conference event, our partnership with Shelburne Farms, and be used as an opportunity for people to learn about the Western Abenaki culture.
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