Welcome to Che’ Molly’s Trading Post!  You’ll find many Penobscot and Wabanaki resources, from music to books about culture, history, and poetry to handcrafted Penobscot fancy baskets and beadwork. Shop here online or visit us on Indian Island.

The trading tradition

The Penobscot people have a rich tradition in trading. Ancient canoe routes linking adjoining watersheds were considered major trade routes by both the Penobscot people and Europeans, who often put their trading posts at the mouths of rivers or within known Native American villages. Penobscot people and other Wabanaki tribes participated in the fur trade either directly or as guides for others.

Che’ Molly

The name Che’ Molly was chosen for our modern-day trading post because of the popularity of the name Molly within the Wabanaki communities. Starting in the early 1600’s, the French sent over Jesuit priests to “Christianize” the Native American population. During baptisms, many Wabanaki took on Christian names – often Mary and Marie – but because the Penobscot language has no hard “r” sound, both names sounded like Molly or Malie. The prefix Che’ means big.

Shop here online or visit Che' Molly's Trading Post at the Penobscot Nation's Cultural and Historic Preservation Department located at 2 Sarah Springs Drive Suite 2, Indian Island, Maine. Click here for directions.

For a limited time, receive a FREE copy of Penobscot: The People and Their River DVD with a purchase of $35.00 or more.

(Do Not add to your Cart, this free gift will be added when shipped.)

Categories

Books/Literature	Maps	Birch Bark	Baskets
Jewelry	DVD and Videos	Cards/Matted Prints	Art
Carving	Music CD	Historic Photographs	Posters and Classroom Resources
Musical Instruments	Clothing