|
Native American Reviews
| The story of the great Abenaki warrior, Chief Escumbuit, is one which has
waited far too long to be told. Alfred Kayworth has done a most remarkable job in bringing
to light the struggles of the Abenaki people and the choices they were forced to make
while caught in the middle of warring French and British factions. As a Passamaquaddy
woman, I am honored by Kayworth’s struggle to write Chief Escumbuit’s story in a
manner as unbiased as possible. I recommend Abenaki Warrior to
every person who has ever had an interest in Abenaki and Wabanaki culture, tradition, and
history. More importantly, Abenaki Warrior is a story that all
Abenaki and Wabanaki descendents need to be aware of. The knowledge of Chief
Escumbuit’s lifelong struggle to ensure the survival of his people should empower
Abenakis and Wabanakis to feel a greater sense of pride and renewed faith as they continue
their present-day struggle to preserve their rich cultural heritage. Laura A Brooks
Passamaquaddy Tribal Member
University of Maine School of Law
Portland, Maine
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/9118/pass.html
|
| Kuai Kuai Nedobak: (Greetings friends) It is an excellent book, but
what amazes me the most about it is that most of the regional names talked about in the
book are quite familiar to me. I grew up in Sanford, Maine, less than 20 miles from many
of the sites talked about in the book. I often visited Wells, Kittery, Biddeford, York,
Portland, the Saco River etc. as a youth. I was relatively good in history in school, but
was never taught any of the history talked about in the book. It is interesting how the
dominant culture slants and re-writes histories so as to fulfill its own agenda. So now, I
am in the process of re-educating myself. In the past few years I have learned more about
my ancestors than in all of my school years combined. I am relatively sure this is also
true of many Native Americans, especially those raised in the dominant culture schools.
Having grown up in the areas talked about in the book, I was enthralled by Alfred
Kayworth’s novel, Abenaki Warrior. Unfortunately,
many generations of oral Abenaki history have been lost due to the effects of the invading
European culture. Thankfully, Mr. Kayworth has given us back some of this lost history and
culture. He has obviously done much research to form the backbone of his novel as
evidenced by the exhaustive footnotes to historical records. I especially appreciated the
cultural context-such as child rearing techniques, traditional games, crop cultivation,
style of clothing, canoe building, and so forth. I will most assuredly tell my young son
Alex, the delightful story of, "Why Loons Don’t Get Stuck in Bottom Weeds."
There are a few references in the book that should have probably been more thoroughly
researched. For example, words like savage, squaw and Stone Age Indian have a negative
connotation to modern Native Americans. Instead of saying that our ancestors fought like
savages is it not more accurate to say "they fought fiercely with honor and
valor?" Perhaps a quote from Mr. Kayworth’s book is appropriate here: On page
198 when Chief Escumbuit was asked by his friend Montigny, "Chief, why do you fight
the English with such hatred?" Chief Escumbuit responded: Then the English
came. At first we were his friends. Then they cheated us out of our lands. When we gave
them land, it was never enough; they always wanted more. That is why I hate the English
and why I will fight them to my death (link to author's comment).
Walk in peace,
Steve Miller
Chula Vista, California
Homepage: http://millennianet.com/slmiller/abenaki/ |
| Kuai Kuai Al (Greetings) It is wonderful that Mr. Kayworth has taken
the time to research and put into words a part of my people's history. Abenaki
Warrior is a great story of the personal life of Chief Escumbuit. His military
campaigns and his appearance before King Louis XIV in the Palace of Versailles are
fascinating reading. The story is also a good example of the history and culture of my
people.
My own great grandfather, seven generations ago, was a leader during the War of 1812
and was commended for his part in that war. Having been educated at Hanover, NH and
following in his father's, Francois Annance, footsteps better prepared him for the task of
interpreter and warrior. He left Odanak in about 1820 saying, "I am returning to the
land of my people," the Annasiguntigwok of Western Maine. He and his family finally
settled at Moosehead Lake at the foot of Kineo Mountain and started a settlement there
with several other Wabanaki families. Louis was always known as the "Big
Indian," or leader, by the white people.
Today, 150 years later, the United States government still does not recognize the
sovereignty of the Abenaki Nation. As a result, more than 12,000 Abenaki people are not
entitled to their rights as native people.
Written works documenting Abenaki history further their claim of sovereignty. Such
works also enable my people to rediscover their heritage, since the public schools do not
teach them the history of their ancestors. Nevertheless, the true history of the Abenaki
people is slowly emerging.
Wlibamkanni (be well)
Lou Annance
Anasagundicook descendent
Mechanic Falls, Maine
Homepage: http://members.aol.com/alnombak |
| Being of Native American heritage, I was fascinated by the way Mr.
Kayworth combined the personal and historical aspects of the life of Chief Escumbuit. It
makes one feel that, if they walked on Escumbuit Island today, they would sense the
presence of those long gone Abenaki warriors and their families. Sue Manic
Cherokee Indian descendant
St. Augustine, Florida |
  
|