Ne-Do-Ba   (Friends)
Exploring & Sharing the Wabanaki History of Interior New England
A Maine Nonprofit Corporation - 501(c)3 Public Charity

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Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated Mar-2009

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  1. What Tribe Was My Great Grandmother?What Tribe Was My Great Grandmother? - Before you can begin to determine a tribe, you need to find out all you can about the family (not just the person!) in question.
    There are no magic lists where you can look up a woman's married name and find what tribe that person belonged to. There are a few exceptions to this for men. However, in general, you must research your ancestor using normal and proper genealogical research methods and resources. Once you know who they were, when and where they lived, etc., then you can begin to research a possible tribal connection.
  2. Where Do I Find Indian Records?Where Do I Find Indian Records? - There are very few "Indian" records available to the public. For Native People living on reservations & reserves, you will find some Federal Census (US & Canada) for some tribes from 1860 forward. You may find some church records available for some Native groups.
    If you ancestor is not living on a reservation or reserve, chances are you will not find any "Indian" records for them. You will find them in normal public records right along side your non-Native ancestors.
  3. I Know My Ancestors White Name, But How Do I Find Their Indian Name?How Do I Find Their Indian Name? - The Wabanaki did not use names like "Red Feather", "Silver Moon", or "Soaring Eagle". These types of names were stage names and only used by Wabanaki People involved in the entertainment industry.
    The Wabanaki People were Christianized in the 1600s & 1700s. Most have Christian names. The name you have is most likely the name your ancestor was born with.
  4. How Do I Register With My Tribe?How Do I Register With My Tribe? - Sorry, Ne-Do-Ba can not assist with tribal registration. This is something between you and the tribe you want to register with.
    The Federal Government (US & Canada) requires you to document that you are at least 1/8 Indian before you can carry a BIA card and sell crafts as a Native American. Most tribes also have their own criteria concerning who they will admit into their tribe.
  5. What Is A Traditional Abenaki Wedding Ceremony?What Is A Traditional Abenaki Wedding Ceremony? - Issues of Ceremony and Spirituality should be learned from a traditional Wabanaki Elder/Teacher. Ne-Do-Ba can not provide or evaluate Wabanaki Teachers for you. It is not the place of this nonprofit organization to discuss matters of this nature and certainly not in e-mail or on the Internet.
    We have been taught - - -
    > When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!
    > If you have to pay for it, it is not "Traditional" teaching you are receiving!
  6. Can You Translate This For Me?Can You Translate This For Me? - Sorry, no one at Ne-Do-Ba speaks any dialect of any Wabanaki language. We can not assist with deciphering Indian Place Names and can not translate names, words or phases for you.
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