Time Meddlers

by Deborah Jackson

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