A day of meeting with some "Abenaki sisters" in Odanak on October 15 was stimulating and instructive in many respects. Guided by Nicole O'Bomsawin, members of the Montreal section of the Association of Women Religious for Women’s Rights (ARDF) visited the Abenaki Museum which incidentally is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The presentation made it possible to discover the customs and habits of this indigenous people who occupied vast areas in southern Quebec and in certain American States. The guide also specified the meaning of the name Abenakis which means "People of the Dawn". The latter currently has two communities: Odanak and Wôlinak.
Participants were also treated to sharing a typical Aboriginal meal and visiting the church, which has been rebuilt twice following a fire. The day ended with native songs to the sound of drums.
Since 2010, a day-long meeting with the Abenakis has been included as part of the annual program of ARDF as a means of deepening solidarity with indigenous women of Quebec. This implies going onto their land and working closely with them to denounce the different forms of violence with which they are particularly burdened.
To deepen your knowledge, consult the website of the Abenaki Museum: http://museedesabenakis.ca/data/