THE DREAMCATCHERS: THE FIRST NATIONS (MODULE 1 #3)

THE DREAMCATCHERS: THE FIRST THE DREAMCATCHERS: THE FIRST NATIONSNATIONS

(MODULE 1 #3)(MODULE 1 #3)

In The Beginning…..(origins)In The Beginning…..(origins) First “Canadians” –the very first- arrived in prehistoric times (12 000 to 80 000 years ago) when First “Canadians” –the very first- arrived in prehistoric times (12 000 to 80 000 years ago) when

low sea levels created a temporary low sea levels created a temporary ISTHMUSISTHMUS, or land bridge (Berring Strait), between Asia and , or land bridge (Berring Strait), between Asia and Alaska.Alaska.

Early hunters followed the woolly mammoth, caribou, and bison into North America crossing the Early hunters followed the woolly mammoth, caribou, and bison into North America crossing the land bridge.land bridge.

Rumor has it that the first European to arrive in North America was an old Irish monk by the Rumor has it that the first European to arrive in North America was an old Irish monk by the name of St. Brendan who arrived in a curragh (or big canoe!) circa 400 A.D.name of St. Brendan who arrived in a curragh (or big canoe!) circa 400 A.D.

There is evidence, however, that the first European settlement was established by the medieval There is evidence, however, that the first European settlement was established by the medieval Norse (Vikings) circa 1000 A.D. Leif Eriksson led his hoard of Norse (Vikings) circa 1000 A.D. Leif Eriksson led his hoard of VikingsVikings to to L’Anse aux MeadowsL’Anse aux Meadows, , Newfoundland on large open ships called Knarrs.Newfoundland on large open ships called Knarrs.

The Vikings stay was short lived as members of the First Nations drove them off their settlement.The Vikings stay was short lived as members of the First Nations drove them off their settlement.

By the time the Europeans arrived (including the Vikings), a wide variety of aboriginal societies By the time the Europeans arrived (including the Vikings), a wide variety of aboriginal societies had long since evolved and spread across every region of North and South America.had long since evolved and spread across every region of North and South America.

In Canada, there were more than 50 separate Native languages. Today, only 3 of these (Cree, In Canada, there were more than 50 separate Native languages. Today, only 3 of these (Cree, Ojibwa, Inuktitut) are in a strong enough position to survive. Entire nations have vanished and Ojibwa, Inuktitut) are in a strong enough position to survive. Entire nations have vanished and entire cultures have been lost.entire cultures have been lost.

In The Beginning…..(origins)In The Beginning…..(origins)

First “Canadians” –the very first- arrived in prehistoric First “Canadians” –the very first- arrived in prehistoric times (12 000 to 80 000 years ago) when low sea levels times (12 000 to 80 000 years ago) when low sea levels created a temporary created a temporary ISTHMUSISTHMUS, or land bridge (Berring , or land bridge (Berring Strait), between Asia and Alaska.Strait), between Asia and Alaska.

Early hunters followed the woolly mammoth, caribou, Early hunters followed the woolly mammoth, caribou, and bison into North America crossing the land bridge.and bison into North America crossing the land bridge.

Rumor has it that the first European to arrive in North Rumor has it that the first European to arrive in North America was an old Irish monk by the name of St. America was an old Irish monk by the name of St. Brendan who arrived in a curragh (or big canoe!) circa Brendan who arrived in a curragh (or big canoe!) circa 400 A.D.400 A.D.

There is evidence, however, that the first European There is evidence, however, that the first European settlement was established by the medieval Norse settlement was established by the medieval Norse (Vikings) circa 1000 A.D. Leif Eriksson led his hoard of (Vikings) circa 1000 A.D. Leif Eriksson led his hoard of VikingsVikings to to L’Anse aux MeadowsL’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland on , Newfoundland on large open ships called Knarrs.large open ships called Knarrs.

The Vikings stay was short lived as members of the First The Vikings stay was short lived as members of the First

Nations drove them off their settlement.Nations drove them off their settlement.

By the time the Europeans arrived (including the By the time the Europeans arrived (including the Vikings), a wide variety of aboriginal societies had long Vikings), a wide variety of aboriginal societies had long since evolved and spread across every region of North since evolved and spread across every region of North and South America.and South America.

In Canada, there were more than 50 separate Native In Canada, there were more than 50 separate Native languages. Today, only 3 of these (Cree, Ojibwa, languages. Today, only 3 of these (Cree, Ojibwa, Inuktitut) are in a strong enough position to survive. Inuktitut) are in a strong enough position to survive. Entire nations have vanished and entire cultures have Entire nations have vanished and entire cultures have been lost.been lost.

RIGHTFUL OWNERS: THE FIRST NATIONSRIGHTFUL OWNERS: THE FIRST NATIONS

THE ALGONQUIANSTHE ALGONQUIANS

THE ALGONQUIANS: NOMADIC HUNTERSTHE ALGONQUIANS: NOMADIC HUNTERS

Algonquian refers to the language, or the many tribes Algonquian refers to the language, or the many tribes who speak an Algonquian language.who speak an Algonquian language.

Algonquian Tribes: Abenaki; Cree; Micmac; Montagnais; Algonquian Tribes: Abenaki; Cree; Micmac; Montagnais; Naskapi; Ojibway (located in Central & Eastern Canada, Naskapi; Ojibway (located in Central & Eastern Canada, and Eastern U.S.)and Eastern U.S.)

ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFE WAY OF LIFE (P.A.W.N.)(P.A.W.N.)

Way of life: NOMADIC (i.e. hunting bands would (i.e. hunting bands would move their camp site from place to place following move their camp site from place to place following wild game / source of food)wild game / source of food)

Sources of food: Men : Men HUNTED and fished. Women and fished. Women prepared food, made clothing, took care of children, prepared food, made clothing, took care of children, collected firewood, prepared hides, contributed to collected firewood, prepared hides, contributed to food supply by gathering berries, roots, and seeds.food supply by gathering berries, roots, and seeds.

Tools: Men fabricated all equipment for hunting and : Men fabricated all equipment for hunting and ‘living’ – ‘living’ – bows, arrows, stone , arrows, stone axes, spears, fish , spears, fish hooks, nets, hooks, nets, snowshoes, and , and canoes..

ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFE WAY OF LIFE (P.A.W.N.) cont’d(P.A.W.N.) cont’d

Homes: They lived in : They lived in WIGWAMS (tents (tents covered in birch bark or animal skins). Easy covered in birch bark or animal skins). Easy to put up and take down as the tribe moved to put up and take down as the tribe moved along.along.

Clothing: Made from animal skins or furs. : Made from animal skins or furs. Moccasins, beaver robes., beaver robes.

Travel: Traveled on : Traveled on footfoot. Used birch bark . Used birch bark canoes that were sturdy and light, canoes that were sturdy and light, snowshoes and and toboggans in the winter. in the winter.

ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & ALGONQUIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFE WAY OF LIFE (P.A.W.N.) cont’d(P.A.W.N.) cont’d

Religion & Culture: : Creation Myths. Believed in spirits . Believed in spirits found in every living entity. Interpreted dreams through a found in every living entity. Interpreted dreams through a Shaman (medicine man) who contacted the spirit world. (medicine man) who contacted the spirit world. Culture and traditions passed on orally through Culture and traditions passed on orally through storytelling. Fabricated elaborate designs on clothing, . Fabricated elaborate designs on clothing, wampum belts, charms, etc. wampum belts, charms, etc.

Social Structure: Structure centered around a : Structure centered around a PATRIARCHY (men were the leaders and heads of (men were the leaders and heads of families. Traveled in small hunting groups (2 to 4 families. Traveled in small hunting groups (2 to 4 families). Groups of the band came together in the families). Groups of the band came together in the summer. Bands with same dialect formed a tribe.summer. Bands with same dialect formed a tribe.

THE ALGONQUIANSTHE ALGONQUIANS

STORYTELLING ON THE MOVESTORYTELLING ON THE MOVE

THE ALGONQUIANSTHE ALGONQUIANS

FIRST NATIONS FIRST NATIONS

THE IROQUOISTHE IROQUOIS

THE IROQUOIS: SEDENTARY HUNTERSTHE IROQUOIS: SEDENTARY HUNTERS

Iroquoian refers to a family of First Nations languages. True Iroquoian refers to a family of First Nations languages. True name is name is HaudenosauneeHaudenosaunee, meaning “, meaning “people of the longhouse.”.”

Iroquoian Tribes/Nations: Hurons; Tobacco; Neutral Iroquoian Tribes/Nations: Hurons; Tobacco; Neutral (settlements North of Lake Erie & Huron). (settlements North of Lake Erie & Huron). League of 5 Nations / Iroquois Confederacy: Cayuga; Mohawk; Oneida; Onondaga; : Cayuga; Mohawk; Oneida; Onondaga; Seneca) who settled in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seneca) who settled in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands.Lowlands.

IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFEOF LIFE (F.I.L.M.S.) (F.I.L.M.S.)

Way of life: SENDENTARY (i.e. lived as ‘farmers’ (i.e. lived as ‘farmers’ in permanent villages. They only moved if soil was in permanent villages. They only moved if soil was depleted or for military purposes. Moved every 10-depleted or for military purposes. Moved every 10-15 years.15 years.

Sources of food: Men hunted in the fall and fished : Men hunted in the fall and fished in the spring. Women were main food producers; in the spring. Women were main food producers; grew maize, grew maize, beans, squash, sunflowers, tobacco, gathered plants and berries..

Tools: Women made clothing, pottery, straw : Women made clothing, pottery, straw baskets, and mats. Men made stone axes, baskets, and mats. Men made stone axes, bows/arrows, fishing nets, spoons, bowls, armour.bows/arrows, fishing nets, spoons, bowls, armour.

IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFEOF LIFE (F.I.L.M.S.) cont’d (F.I.L.M.S.) cont’d

Homes: Men built several (30) : Men built several (30) LONGHOUSES that were protected by a that were protected by a palisade. Longhouses could be as long 200-palisade. Longhouses could be as long 200-300 feet and were constructed from wooden 300 feet and were constructed from wooden support beams covered with animal skins or support beams covered with animal skins or elm bark. Several families lived in each elm bark. Several families lived in each longhouse.longhouse.

ClothingClothing: Made from animal skins or furs. : Made from animal skins or furs. Moccasins, beaver robes.Moccasins, beaver robes.

TravelTravel: Traveled on foot. Used birch bark : Traveled on foot. Used birch bark canoes, and snowshoes in the winter.canoes, and snowshoes in the winter.

IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY IROQUOIAN CHARACTERISTICS & WAY OF LIFEOF LIFE (F.I.L.M.S.) cont’d (F.I.L.M.S.) cont’d

Religion & CultureReligion & Culture: (similar to the Algonquians) : (similar to the Algonquians) Creation Creation MythsMyths. Believed in spirits found in every living entity. . Believed in spirits found in every living entity. Interpreted dreams through a Interpreted dreams through a Shaman Shaman (medicine man) who (medicine man) who contacted the spirit world. Culture and traditions passed on contacted the spirit world. Culture and traditions passed on orally through orally through storytellingstorytelling. Fabricated elaborate designs on . Fabricated elaborate designs on clothing, wampum belts, charms, etc.clothing, wampum belts, charms, etc.

Social StructureSocial Structure: Structure centered around a MATRIARCH : Structure centered around a MATRIARCH (women were the heads of families, owned all property, free (women were the heads of families, owned all property, free to marry the man of their choice). Women made important to marry the man of their choice). Women made important decisions about family life. Clan mothers selected the chiefs, decisions about family life. Clan mothers selected the chiefs, but men made political decisions. Married men lived with but men made political decisions. Married men lived with wife’s family. League of Five Nations / Iroquois Confederacy wife’s family. League of Five Nations / Iroquois Confederacy created sophisticated political system with division of powers created sophisticated political system with division of powers …inspired both Canadian and U.S. governments. …inspired both Canadian and U.S. governments.

THE IROQUOISTHE IROQUOIS