Passamaquoddy

Passamaquoddy

Peskotomuhkati
Passamaquoddy men in a canoe (2016)
Total population
3,575 enrolled tribal members Sipayik: 2,005 Motahkomikuk: 1,364 Qonasqamkuk: 206
Regions with significant populations
United States (Maine)	3,369 (0.3%)
Canada (New Brunswick)	206 (0.03%)
Languages
Maliseet-Passamaquoddy, English
Religion
Wabanaki mythology, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Penobscot

The Passamaquoddy are Native Americans and First Nation from New Brunswick and Maine. They are closely related to the Penobscot. They are part of the Northeastern Woodlands. Their language is part of the Algonquian languages family. Their name means "pollock-spearer" or "those of the place where pollock are plentiful". They are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy. The US Government recognizes Passamaquoddy Tribe as a tribe.

History

Passamaquoddy had oral history. This means they spoke about their past history and family stories. They also made pictures and drawings. They lived more inland during winter and hunted in the winter. In the summer, they stayed near the coast. Here they went fishing. Passamaquoddy were involved in the fur trade. They were independent. They also had peaceful relations with French and English for many decades. Many Passamaquoddy died from European diseases. Settlers forced Natives off the land. The Passamaquoddy supported the Americans in the American Revolution. After the war, the Natives were only allowed to stay in the Indian Township Reservation in Washington County, Maine (Treaty of 1794).

A Passamaquoddy story scraped onto birch bark

Maps

Maps showing the approximate locations of areas occupied by members of the Wabanaki Confederacy (from north to south):

• 
  Miꞌkmaq
• 
  Maliseet, Passamaquoddy
• 
  Eastern Abenaki (Penobscot, Kennebec, Arosaguntacook, Pigwacket/Pequawket)
• 
  Western Abenaki (Arsigantegok, Missisquoi, Cowasuck, Sokoki, Pennacook