Way of the Wabanaki
The Way of the Wabanaki is an immersion into the Penobscot First Nation’s culture. Jason Pardilla, a Native Penobscot, guides this trip with us.
The Way of the Wabanaki is an immersion into the Penobscot First Nation’s culture. Jason Pardilla, a Native Penobscot, guides this trip with us.
| Date(s) | Price(s) |
|---|---|
| August 10-13, 2023 | $1100 |
| September 14-17, 2023 | $1100 |
We begin with a half-day paddle down the main branch of the Penobscot River to the Sugar Island cultural site. Then we spend two days on Sugar Island, where we learn about medicinal plants with Jennifer Neptune, Penobscot place names and the stories and meanings behind them, the history and culture of the Penobscots.
We’ll also watch drumming and singing demonstrations by Chris Sockalexis. You can weave your own basket, learn how a birch bark canoe is built, paddle in a birch bark canoe, and explore the surrounding islands.
On our last day, we canoe to Indian Island, for a tour by James Francis, director of Cultural, History and Preservation, and visit the Penobscot Cultural Museum. To view the trip itinerary, click here.
For trip itinerary, click here
All our Maine canoe trips are fully outfitted and guided by Mahoosuc Guide Service’s owners Polly or Kevin. We provide all the food, camping, paddling, and cooking equipment, as well as a detailed clothing list to help you in packing for your trip. Most of our trips meet in Orono, Maine (just north of Bangor). We provide transportation to and from the river. Many of our canoe trips require no special physical conditioning. If you have any concerns about the physical requirements of a trip, please contact us.
We are experienced teachers and will help you master the art of canoeing by teaching paddle strokes and poling techniques. You will learn how to set up a warm dry camp, and if you want, how to cook and bake over an open fire. All our food is natural or organic, and we source much of our food locally. Natural history, wildlife viewing, and fishing will be covered as your interests warrant.
You are in safe hands with Mahoosuc Guide Service. With more than 40 years guiding experience from Maine and Quebec to the Yukon Territory and Alaska, we have an excellent safety record. We are certified in Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responders. We carry a satellite phone for emergency communication!
Meet at The Black Bear Inn in Orono at 7:30 a.m. (after breakfast).
Meet other trip participants, load up into Mahoosuc van.
Drive to put in at public boat landing at Passadumkeag (about a 40 minute drive).
Load gear into canoes, paddle lesson if necessary.
Paddle 7 miles to Sugar Island.
Get settled into our base camp in either a lean to shelter or tent.
Campfire chat after supper with special Penobscot guest with some drumming.
We will get to participate in some of the following activities during these two
days depending on interest of participants, weather, etc.
Canoe poling/paddling around the island.
Basket making.
Native plant tour.
Root club carving.
Flint knapping demonstration.
Birch bark canoes – how to build and maintain – most likely will get a chance to paddle one.
Shelter making.
Campfire chats sharing Penobscot history and culture.
Pack up after breakfast.
Paddle to Indian Island, about 9 miles.
Visit interpretive display by gazebo.
Lunch at gazebo by the Penobscot river.
Visit the Penobscot Nation Museum.
Say our good byes to our new Penobscot friends.
Arrive to the Black Bear Inn by 5 p.m.
Deposits are non-refundable. From 0-14 days before trip starts, no money is refundable. Within 14-30 days before the trip starts, money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another trip for one year (on a space available basis) minus your deposit. If you cancel within 14 days of the starting date, money is non-transferable and non-refundable. We go in all conditions including rain and thaws. If extreme weather conditions prevent you from traveling to Maine for your trip, you may use the full amount less the deposit for another trip for one year from the trip starting date. You may wish to purchase vacation insurance to cover this possibility. If you have to cancel due to Covid related issues we will not be able to give a refund, but will lock in the price of the trip and give a 2 year credit to be used toward any of our trips.
We only cancel a trip for safety reasons (i.e. flooding, bad ice, extreme windchill or lack of conditions – not enough snow or ice.) For canoe trips we may need to cancel due to safety issues such as extremely high or low water on rivers. If we need to cancel, we try to reschedule people to another trip. If we need to cancel for safety or lack of conditions you may choose to use the full amount toward another Mahoosuc trip for 2 years, or receive a 50% refund and apply the other half to a Mahoosuc trip for 2 years.
If you are having any symptoms of Covid before your trip please test yourself before arriving at Mahoosuc Guide Service and if positive contact us to reschedule your trip.
Mushing can be physically demanding. We cannot predict trail conditions as they change daily, sometimes hourly. You should be in good physical condition for an overnight dog sledding trip. The dogs are strong; however, there are limits to their pulling ability. Therefore, we ask individuals who weigh over 215 lbs. to contact us prior to sending in their reservation form.
For canoeing trips sometimes there are portages around falls and we need to carry all of our gear and canoes around them. The better shape you are in will make these carries easier for you.
Tips are appropriate for your guides. If you feel you would like to recognize how hard they worked to provide a safe and reliable trip for you. A common amount is 5% – %10 of your trip cost. At Mahoosuc we split tips evenly among whoever is working on the trip unless people want certain amounts to go directly to certain guides. In this case they should give it to them individually.
I can’t think of a better trip leader for our Allagash experience. Your quiet competence was a perfect match for the quiet beauty of this land and water.
