Nishnabotna etym.

[Rankin, Robert L]

John and I puzzled over this one when we were trying to etymologize Lewis
and Clark names for Moulton.  It could be Algonquian, since nishnabe or
something very close to it is 'man'.  It also looks like Omaha /ni $nabe/
roughly 'dirty water'.  The problem is the -otna in both instances.  Maybe
Jimm can enlighten us on whether "canoe making river" is a reasonable Otoe
etymology.  Shnabotna doesn't look like 'canoe making' to me though.

Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: Alan H. Hartley [mailto:ahartley at d.umn.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 3:56 PM
To: Siouan
Subject: Nishnabotna etym.


Can anyone tell me the meaning of the river-name written by William
Clark in 1804 as Neesh-nah-ba-to-na? Clark identifies it as Omaha, but
Gary Moulton, in his end-note, says "According to Thomas Say [it] is an
Oto Indian name signifying 'canoe making river'."

Thanks,

Alan