The Abenaki of Vermont: A Living Culture 2002
Distributed by The Vermont Folklife Center, Masonic Hall, 3 Court St., PO Box 442, Middlebury, VT 05753; 802-388-4964
Produced by Gregory Sharrow and Michael Sacca
Director n/a
VHS, color, 28 min.
K-12
Multicultural Studies, American Studies, Native American Studies, Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Sociology
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by David M. Liberty, StreamNet Library, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish CommissionThe Abenaki people of Vermont are shown in this documentary as a people taking positive steps to maintain their traditions in the face of modern society. Most of the narrative was through the use of personal interviews interspersed with activities taking place in the wilds of Vermont. In one case teenagers are shown paddling around in a lake and in another instance a woman and girl are collecting sap from trees. Three scenes show Abenaki people fishing with modern hook and line. It would have helped to have an explanation of the cultural significance of these activities, if any, as they were happening.
Unfortunately, little is said about Abenaki language or history, which left a considerable gap in their story. Some of their philosophy is described but it was rather ordinary and even elementary. One could have gotten the same out of any general text on Native American world view. A good philosophical narrative usually includes references to sacred places or events in the history of a tribe.
A teacher’s guide is provided with the tape. It fills many of the gaps in the documentary so well that, were it not for a few references to the video, it could easily be a stand-alone document.
This documentary is much too brief to give a decent overview of the Abenaki. A more in depth examination incorporating material from the teacher’s guide is recommended.