Maine Indian tribes were known for being a victim of the mixture of the European culture in their lands, just like almost all of the other Native Americans all over the world. According to historians, those Indian tribes in Maine can be considered as one of the first being discovered in the history of Native Americans as their earliest record was way back 1000 years B.C. They were somehow of the same appearance as the Abnaki. One famous explorer of the land of Maine was Giovanni da Verranzano.The Maine Native American tribes were one of the many who took part in the Indian wars that occurred between 1675 and 1760. In today’s time, many of the museums in Maine have relics that gives light to the kind of living Native Americans in Maine had. According to these artifacts, the history of the Maine Indian tribes comprises 12,000 years of the history.

The Life of Maine Indian Tribes

According to experts, during the peak of the residence of Native American tribes in Maine, the area was highly mountainous but showcased several beaches in the south part. As for the northern part, it was rocky. The majority of the Native Americans that lived there were under the teaching of the Northeast Woodlands Cultural group. At the same time, their major languages included the Iroquoian and Algonquian. As for the different individuals, there were good hunter-gathers, farmers, fishers, and trappers. These Native American tribes of Maine were accustomed to living in Wigwams and Longhouses.

Follows are some of the famous Maine Indian tribes in history:

Maine Indian Tribe – Maliseet

The Maliseet is one of the famous Native American tribes of Maine. They became part of the Wabanaki Confederacy. They were originally from two area, Maine, and New Brunswick. Their existence can be traced back way to Canada and the United States even became countries. Each community carrying the name of the tribe creates their own reservations in order for them to be able to exercise more control over the lands they are living. Leaders in this Maine Indian tribe was given the Maliseet title of Sacom, which in contemporary times, can refer to either chief or governor. Governor is basically more acceptable in the context of the Maine community.

Maine Indian Tribe – Abenaki

This tribe symbolized “light” and “white,” and elements pertaining to earth and land. It was founded out that members of the tribe were usually strong-willed, meaning to say they are somehow difficult to manage. Members were of the firm believer of the concept of individualism. They were also speakers of the Algonquian language. Members of this tribe do not often have different languages despite being separated geographically. With the name of the tribe alone, it was clear how the presence of the French became a strong influence on the tribe. The Abenaki tribe was known for being a member of the Algonquian confederacy, which was why their tribe name was very known to the French and English people. Also, the Maine Indian tribe was known for their asking of independence from Canada as they try to go further to the south. The members of this tribe were known for being soft and gentle. They are not exactly that enticed towards war and violence in contrast to the other tribes. However, they were not that weak when the situation dictates them to fight.

Maine Indian Tribe – Penobscot

This tribe got their name from the phrase “it flows on rocks.” This was because they were situated beside a rocky land near the falls. According to historians, they were in close relationship to the Norridgewock. They took the majority of the power over Penobscot river. Additionally, the people of this tribe were also flexible as they can move freely between summer and winter. According to some historical records, the tribe was an adept speaker of the Algonquian language as well, enabling them to freely communicate with their other neighboring tribes within the territory of Maine. They were taught and honed of their fishing and exploring skills by the French and English people. Their interaction with these foreign tribes had led to the formation of their villages patterned to these international cultures.

Maine Indian Tribe – Passamaquoddy

This tribe was also known as Quoddy. The name referred to those people who pursue the pollock. Like the many tribes belonging to the Maine territory, they were also adept with the Algonquian language. This tribe was known for being part of the 13 colonies that were able to free themselves from the rule of the Englishmen. Their initial settlement was with the Penobscot tribe but eventually, they decided o separate and make their own name as an independent tribe. During their peak, many historians said that the population of the tribe almost reached 500.