Twelve Thousand Years: American Indians in Maine

by Bruce J. Bourque

Twelve Thousand American Indians in Maine documents the generations of Native peoples who for twelve millennia have moved through and eventually settled along the rocky coast, rivers, lakes, valleys, and mountains of a region now known as Maine. Arriving first to this area were Paleo-Indian peoples, followed by maritime hunters, more immigrants, then a revival of maritime cultures. Beginning in the sixteenth century, Native peoples in northern New England became tangled in the far-reaching affairs of European explorers and colonists. Twelve Thousand Years reveals how Penobscots, Abenakis, Passamaquoddies, Maliseets, Micmacs, and other Native communities both strategically accommodated and overtly resisted European and American encroachments. Since that time, Native communities in Maine have endured, adapted when necessary, and experienced a political and cultural revitalization in recent decades.

Genres: History, American History

369 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2001

Reviews

[Araminta Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent textbook. I wish more time was spent clarifying the different tribal nations (specifically Mi'kmaq). Also, very little was shared about domestic history (like cooking processes, decorating clothing, hygeine habits, play and toys, etc)

[Don Trowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know the glaciers over North America were one-mile thick? Are you interested in learning more about the geologic and anthropological histories of Maine? Of the Native Americans who populated these ancient lands? Of learning more about the early settlers to Maine who came from France and Great Britain? Well you can learn all this and much more in this fascinating book that I enjoyed immensely.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made my way through it, but it wasn't great. The historical period (post European settlement) was superficial and has been covered better elsewhere. The early period, which I was much more interested in, was very sparse on detail, largely because there's not a lot of info.

[Susan Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

well-written, good quality, factual