Join us for a joyful and immersive weekend of Abenaki at the Ndakinna Education Center in Greenfield Center, New York.
Open to all and Free with Registration (see below)
This gathering welcomes learners and speakers of all levels—from fluent speakers to complete beginners—to come together in community, play, and conversation.
Over three days, we’ll explore the language through a mix of fully immersive and bilingual sessions that include conversational circles, games, songs, storytelling, and reflections on the living history of the language. Whether you’re reconnecting with heritage, preparing for summer study, or simply curious to begin, this gathering offers a supportive and inspiring space to learn, listen, and grow.
Friday Evening – Welcome and Opening Circle
Our weekend begins with arrival, a shared meal, and an opening circle at Ndakinna Education Center.
We’ll introduce key expressions and songs in Abenaki, set our learning intentions, and begin light immersion activities designed to build comfort and confidence with the language.
We’ll also share information about the Middlebury School of Abenaki, including guidance on the application process for Summer 2026. Together, we’ll prepare for the Middlebury Language Pledge, offering practical coping strategies and confidence-building exercises to help participants live and learn fully in the language during the two-week immersive session next summer.
Saturday – Immersion, Play, and Story
Saturday morning will feature full immersion sessions focused on natural conversation, pronunciation, and vocabulary in context.
In the afternoon, we’ll move into bilingual sessions to explore the shared histories and continuities of Eastern Algonquian languages. Through storytelling, song, and dialogue, participants will deepen their understanding of Abenaki as a living language tied to land, family, and community.
Sunday – Bringing It Home
Sunday morning begins with Abenaki-only conversation over breakfast, followed by a bilingual review and open Q&A about ongoing learning opportunities and next steps for continued practice.
We’ll close the weekend with a community potluck lunch, honoring a long Ndakinna tradition of sharing food, friendship, and language together.
Why We Gather
This gathering continues a centuries-old tradition of Algonquian-speaking peoples meeting in the Schaghticoke–Stillwater–Greenfield region to speak, teach, and renew the language.
Through immersion, reflection, and story, we honor those who kept Abenaki alive and empower those who will carry it forward into the future.
Hosted by
Ndakinna Education Center
In partnership with the Middlebury Language Schools Incubator Project and the Middlebury School of Abenaki
What to Bring
- A dish to share for our potluck meals
- Warm clothing for outdoor gatherings
- Notebook or recorder for personal language notes
- An open heart and willingness to listen, speak, and reconnect
