We have always been here

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Archeological evidence shows that indigenous people lived in New Hampshire for more than 13,000 years. 

Today, about 4,000 Granite Staters, or .3% of the state's population, identify as Native American, though actual numbers could be double that. 

The State We’re In host Melanie Plenda recently sat down to discuss the history of indigenous people in the state, and current efforts to recognize and celebrate that history and culture with  historian Anne Jennison, chair of the state's Commission on Native American Affairs and Denise Pouliot, a member of the commission and the Sag8moskwa or Head Female Speaker of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People.

'We have always been here': For New Hampshire Residents, Native American Heritage is Personal

'We have always been here': For New Hampshire Residents, Native American Heritage is Personal

During the evenings, Loudon resident Cheri Pernaw is focused on learning Abenaki, the language of her ancestors. Sometimes she attends a group with other students, and other nights she practices at home, flipping flashcards while her husband or grandchildren look at her skeptically. The language is challenging, but for Pernaw, the slow learning process is worth the hard work.

“The reason I want to learn Abekani, and I’m sticking to it, is that when I die, I want to be able to talk to my ancestors in their tongue,” said Pernaw.

'We have always been here': State Recognition Seems Unlikely For New Hampshire Native Americans

'We have always been here': State Recognition Seems Unlikely For New Hampshire Native Americans

When the state of Vermont recognized four Native American groups in 2011 and 2012, Sherry Gould discovered an opportunity to not only join a tribe, but to protect her art.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Gould is an Abenaki basketmaker who lives in Bradford. At the time, federal law blocked her from marketing her work as Native-made, since only members of state and federally recognized tribes gain the right to do so under federal arts and crafts legislation.

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

Anne Jennison is constantly referred to as if she isn’t here anymore. An indigenous resident of New Hampshire, Jennison said people default to talking about the Abenaki in the past, a habit that speaks to a long, dark history.

“Except for indigenous people themselves, they are almost invariably referred to in the past tense — like a great big rubber eraser literally has taken the history,” she said.