Maliseet

The Maliseet, also known as Wolastoqiyik or Wolastoq, are an Indigenous people of the Wabanaki Confederacy in northeastern North America. Their traditional territory centers on the Saint John River valley in present-day New Brunswick, Canada, with a homeland extending into parts of northern Maine, United States. The endonym Wolastoqiyik means “People of the Beautiful River,” reflecting their association with the Wolastoq (Saint John River).

Language and culture

The Maliseet language is part of the Algonquian language family and is closely related to Passamaquoddy. It is often referred to in the broader context as Maliseet-Passamaquoddy. Historically, Maliseet communities were organized around extended family networks and seasonal camps, relying on hunting, fishing (notably salmon and sturgeon), and gathering. They are known for birchbark canoes and skilled seamanship, which supported trade and intertribal relations within the Wabanaki Confederacy.

History and relations with Europeans

Since first contact in the 17th century, the Maliseet participated in alliances with New France and other Wabanaki nations. They were affected by colonial wars, shifting territorial boundaries, and later federal and provincial policies that led to land dispossession and assimilation efforts. In Canada, many Maliseet became associated with reserves and First Nations governance structures; in the United States, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in Maine represents a federally recognized Maliseet community.

Modern status

Today Maliseet communities are active in cultural preservation and language revitalization, with educational programs and cultural events across New Brunswick and Maine. The term Maliseet is an exonym, while Wolastoqiyik is the endonym meaning “People of the Beautiful River.”