The Passamaquoddy (pronounced “pas-uh-MACK-uh-duh-tee”) are a Native American/First Nations people who have lived in northeastern North America for centuries. Their traditional homeland, known as Peskotomuhkatikuk, spans the Canadian province of New Brunswick and the U.S. state of Maine. They are one of the constituent nations of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which includes the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Penobscot, and Abenaki tribes.
Historical Background
The name “Passamaquoddy” is derived from the Passamaquoddy word peskotomuhkat, meaning “pollock-spearer” or “those of the place where pollock are plentiful,” reflecting the importance of this fish in their culture. Historically, the Passamaquoddy people have an oral history supported by visual imagery, such as birchbark etching and petrographs1. They traditionally occupied coastal regions along the Bay of Fundy, Passamaquoddy Bay, Gulf of Maine, and along the St. Croix River and its tributaries.
Cultural Practices
The Passamaquoddy people had seasonal patterns of settlement. In the winter, they dispersed and hunted inland, while in the summer, they gathered more closely together on the coast and islands, primarily harvesting seafood, including marine mammals, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish1. Their social organization was fluid, based on patrilineal kinship, allowing for multiple marriage and residence options, frequent migration, and easy division or merging of social groups.
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Language and Education
The Passamaquoddy language, part of the Algonquian language family, is closely related to the Maliseet language. Unfortunately, it is classified as severely endangered, with only a few hundred speakers remaining, mostly older adults3. Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize the language through community classes and educational programs.
Modern Day
Today, the Passamaquoddy people are divided between two principal locations: Pleasant Point on Passamaquoddy Bay and Indian Township near the St. Croix River. They also live on off-reservation trust lands in five Maine counties and in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada4. The Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine is a federally recognized tribe, while those in Canada have an organized government but lack official First Nations status.
The Passamaquoddy tribe’s rich cultural heritage and history are a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Despite the challenges they have faced, they continue to preserve their traditions, language, and way of life. Their story is an important part of the broader narrative of Native American history and culture.
