Native New Yorkers: The Legacy of the Algonquin People of New York

by Evan T. Pritchard

To be stewards of the earth, not this was the way of the Lenape. Considering themselves sacred land keepers, they walked gently; they preserved the world they inhabited. Drawing on a wide range of historical sources, interviews with living Algonquin elders, and first-hand explorations of the ancient trails, burial grounds, and sacred sites, Native New Yorkers offers a rare glimpse into the civilization that served as the blueprint for modern New York. A fascinating history, supplemented with maps, timelines, and a glossary of Algonquin words, this book is an important and timely celebration of a forgotten people.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, New York, Native American, Indigenous, American History, Americana

456 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why it took me a month to read this book! Having been born and raised in Western and Central Upstate New York I was weaned on Iroquoian or Haudenosaunee culture. I always had thought that the Algonquin tribes were just a minor subset of the Six Nations Confederacy. Why not? Since the Iroquois had ruled and held sway over Quebec, New York, and Pennsylvania for so long. Imagine reading Arch Merrill's "Land of the Senecas" at the base of Bare Hill, above Canandaigua Lake, the birthplace of the Senecas at an early age. Visiting the old French Fort, Sainte Marie Among the Iroquois, growing up in Syracuse, every few months, along with frequent trips to the other Iroquois reservations as well as trips to Montreal and Quebec certainly cemented the image of the Iroquois as the predominant First Nations people in my mind. I was so amazed at this author's deep knowledge and stories of the original natives of New York that I ended up pulling up maps of the downstate area, during the time frames he discusses, while I read the passages to visualize the trails, paths, and communities that the Algonquins had created. I have been completely enamored of the Algonquins and their contributions and benefits to our society and culture that they have given us over the centuries.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to read because it is so full of details, way more than my mind can absorb. Nonetheless, Native New Yorkers certainly had a profound effect on me, a New Yorker for the past 9 years and a resident of greater NYC area for most of my life. I never realized how very long the Algonquin lived in NY area before the Europeans arrived. And I never knew how widespread they were. Never knew how very many geographic names names today come from the Algonquin. And I never knew how horribly they were treated by the dominant Europeans on the East Coast. I associate terrible treatment more with “The West.” So I am grateful to the author for greatly raising my consciousness about Native American issues in my own back yard!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been struggling in my mind about how to call this book. It's not a conventionally written history. It's an NYC travel book really. The history is lightly peppered with speculation and whimsy. And we just have to scratch our heads and believe that Evan T. Pritchard's linguistics are correct.

In the end, I must say that Native New Yorkers blew my mind, my perception of the European bulldozer on the East Coast beginning with the Dutch. I didn't know and now I know. The idea that Native Americans were refugees beginning in the 1600's--Thank you Evan T. Pritchard for turning that light on in my miseducated brain.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough call, ratings-wise. There are far too few books with this kind of history in them, which is why I was so excited to see it on a bookstore shelf. The first chapter, The Naming of Things, is gorgeous--thought-provoking and informative. After that, I started having a hard time getting through it. Perhaps it's best to read it while in New York and going on the routes he describes; I can see it being totally fascinating then. Reading it at home without those immediate anchors was somewhat less satisfying. So 2-3 stars for overall reading experience, but 4 because the information in it is so necessary and rare.

[Ron Thibeault · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting and informative book. A great detailed anthropological study of the indigenous people of New York State. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, having been a descendant of the Algonquin people

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually read the whole thing. Read the Manhattan section and the Ulster county chapter. Some interesting things but very rambling and a lot of speculation

[Trailhoundz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Central New Yorker who spent a few years living "down" in the city, I was fascinated to read about the Lenape people who occupied The Big Apple... before it became the Big Apple. Unfortunately, as one reviewer pointed out, the book is a catalog of facts with very little story line. Very interesting, but wonky to follow. A few glaring omissions: 1) The author repeatedly stresses/insinuates that Algonquin still occupy NYC and the boroughs. Why didn't he interview anyone? I would have loved to hear from Native Americans who survived the plague, wars, eradications and chose to make their home in this Iron Jungle today. 2) There needed to be WAY more maps in the book. There are chapters that lead the viewer street by street through the boroughs, talking about what used to be there... One tiny map of the whole Metro NYC area doesn't cut it. Too hard to follow, 3)I've read claims by several other Algonquin scholars that this book is far from accurate and the author has re-written a bit of history here. Hmmm. 4) Author mentions repeatedly that very little evidence of the Algonquins has survived- so much of it was buried under tons of concrete and landfill --but he touches on a FEW finds--and that's it. Doesn't really give them a lot of page room, which was odd. SO... for all those reasons, I give this book 3 stars.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've marked this book as "read," when sadly, I did not complete it. The topic is interesting - the legacy of the Algonquin People of New York. As someone who both loves New York and has a deep appreciation for the Native American people who lived here before the white settlers, I am fascinated by the interaction of the groups and the remnants of culture that survive, through customs, names, or even just stories passed down from generation to generation. I wanted to appreciate this book as much as I appreciate the people and the location. After nearly a hundred pages (out of a weighty 382 before appendices) , I had to stop reading. I found no narrative flow - it was merely a listing of poorly organized facts, a few rants, and a few stories that seemed to have no relation to the facts placed near them on the page.

I may go back and try to read some more of this book, but I tend to doubt it. I was quite disappointed in this tome.

[Ltdanbandfan]

Humbling. Fascinating insights.

Dense with references to the native people and their prosperity and connection with the land, plant life and animals. Many maps are referenced, comparable to today.

It takes a while to read, process, then re-read the chapters.

A view of the world through a Native American's regional research and family history.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It's New York history from the Native point of view, and it will challenge every romantic myth you've grown up with. Everyone should read it, adults and young people, too.

[Amyperez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive always loved to know the history of the area Im living in and this book gave me so much insight I was surprised to read how this history isnt taught in schools. Ive been fascinated by Chief Katonah who is elusive and would love to know if theres more recorded history of this chief.