Western Abenaki Dictionary and Radio Online: Home of the Abenaki Language

loon clan

mathawila

The Denis family was known as Mathawila, "the people of the loon clan." Loons being fish-eating diving birds, members of the loon clan were lakeside dwellers well-known as great swimmers. They were also slow thinkers, who took time to reach a decision, like the flight of the loon who must taxi for a considerable distance before becoming airborne, but once in flight it can get to its destination with great swiftness.

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