The First Nations of Canada Lesson 5 - The Subarctic People ---------------------------------------------------- Intro to the Region The Subarctic region stretches from Newfoundland in the east all the way across Canada to British Columbia and the US state of Alaska in the west. The southern range of the region comes as low as Lake Superior while the northern border extends up through Hudson’s Bay and even further north in some areas. The Subarctic region is known for its rich boreal forest. These forests are full of coniferous trees, bogs, and marshes. The forest is home to many types of animals and it contains thousands of fresh water lakes and rivers. The People The vastness of the region meant that a variety of tribal groups lived in the Subarctic. The Eastern Subarctic Peoples included Ojibwa, Cree, Atikamekw, Innu, and Beothuk. Most of these groups spoke languages that were part of the Algonquian language family. The Western Subarctic Peoples include the Dene Nation, Tlingit, Tagish, Tahltan, Tutchone, Kaska, Han, Tsetsaut, Sekani, Dane-zaa and T'atsaot'ine. Most of these groups spoke languages related to the Dene language family. Despite there being two major language families across the region, all tribes shared similar characteristics and ways of living. Living Accommodations The Subarctic Peoples did not practice farming or agriculture. They were hunter-gatherers who followed the animals they hunted. As a result of this lifestyle, they travelled light and lived in shelters that were portable. The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 24
Transcript
The First Nations of Canada Lesson 5 - The Subarctic People
Intro to the Region The Subarctic region stretches from Newfoundland in the east all the way across Canada to British Columbia and the US state of Alaska in the west. The southern range of the region comes as low as Lake Superior while the northern border extends up through Hudson’s Bay and even further north in some areas.
The Subarctic region is known for its rich boreal forest. These forests are full of coniferous trees, bogs, and marshes. The forest is home to many types of animals and it contains thousands of fresh water lakes and rivers. The People The vastness of the region meant that a variety of tribal groups lived in the Subarctic.
The Eastern Subarctic Peoples included Ojibwa, Cree, Atikamekw, Innu, and Beothuk. Most of these groups spoke languages that were part of the Algonquian language family.
The Western Subarctic Peoples include the Dene Nation, Tlingit, Tagish, Tahltan, Tutchone, Kaska, Han, Tsetsaut, Sekani, Dane-zaa and T'atsaot'ine. Most of these groups spoke languages related to the Dene language family. Despite there being two major language families across the region, all tribes shared similar characteristics and ways of living. Living Accommodations The Subarctic Peoples did not practice farming or agriculture. They were hunter-gatherers who followed the animals they hunted. As a result of this lifestyle, they travelled light and lived in shelters that were portable.
The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 24
Groups incorporated a wide variety of shelters, similar to ones neighboring tribes to the north or south used. The conical tent (tipi), pit house, domed house, and wigwam were just a few of the structures that various tribes adopted.
Despite the variety of housing styles, two things were common in all Subarctic homes. They always contained an area for a fire pit. And they had increased insulation techniques that helped to maintain the warmth of the dwelling.
Food Men hunted big game animals using bow and arrow, traps, deadfalls, and corrals. In the summer when food was more plentiful, several bands would meet up and share hunting tips, particularly as to where herds of animals were spotted.
A Subarctic Hunter
Women caught small game, fished, picked berries, and were experts at preparing meat. Pemmican was a popular food that was made by combining fat, meat, and berries.
Traditional Pemmican
Food was scarce in the Subarctic, which meant that tribal bands typically did not get larger than 25-30 people. Despite the challenges in finding food, Subarctic Peoples were generous – putting the needs of the group above each individual. Social Structure The small bands that formed were usually based on family connection.
The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 25
Depending on the tribe, Subarctic People traced their lineage through their mother’s line, their father’s line, or sometimes both! Beyond bands, most Subarctic People did not organize into larger nations. They identified with neighboring bands through common language, beliefs, and family ties. Groups did not formally own land; however, bands would often hunt in specific regions and bands would respect each other’s territory.
A Cree Band
Before the fur trading industry, bands did not elect a formal chief. Instead, the male who demonstrated the best leadership led his people. Even with a leader, group input was highly valued. The needs of the group always came before the needs of the individual. If a family within a band did not approve of a decision, they were free to leave and join another group. Subarctic People are noted for having a lot of social flexibility – they placed a high value on being in groups but also allowed persons and families to make individual decisions.
Chief Kenewash of the Chippewa
First Nations, 1920
After Europeans made contact with Subarctic People, bands began to elect chiefs who could negotiate fur-trading deals. With the development of the fur trade, dog sled teams became an important mode of transportation. They were used to bring furs from far off places to the traders.
Religion Subarctic people believed in legends and myths that were passed down through generations. Some believed that there was a time when animals took on human form.
The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 26
Another common belief in many Subarctic Tribes was in the “culture hero” - the first human to gain special powers. Groups often had differing culture heroes –believing that their hero was granted knowledge and power to achieve tasks and overcome challenges.
“Nanabozho”, the trickster god and cultural hero of the
Chippewa, Odawa, Potawatomi, and others tribes.
Spiritual men and women took on different names and roles, depending on the tribe. Shamans, Dreamers, and people who practiced divination were common in bands. They practiced healing, prophecy, and other rituals. Many were looked to as leaders of their people.
In some regions children of a certain age were sent on vision quests where received some type of medicine power that they would use for life.
Art
Most of the Subarctic Peoples energy was spent surviving in a tough environment. Despite this, artistic expression was incorporated into every day things such as moccasins, caribou tunics, tools, snowshoes, toboggans, canoes, and sleds.
Post-European Contact The arrival of the fur trade forever changed the way Subarctic Peoples lived. Some groups, such as the Cree, became middlemen in the trade between Europeans and groups further west. Other groups hunted game beyond sustainability. European diseases eventually swept through villages and in the 20th century, many First Nation People in the subarctic were forced into western ways of living. Today, many groups have successfully regained large parcels of land and are working to reclaim their heritage, too!
The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 27
Subarctic Clothing and Tools
Think It Through A. Although many dozens of tribes lived across the subarctic region, one constant factor ensured that they lived similar lifestyles. What was that factor and how did it bring commonality to the way of life for so many different groups? B. Subarctic Peoples were primarily hunter-gatherers. How did this shape their way of life? State at least TWO ways. C. In most First Nation regions, only one or two types of shelter were used in the region. For the Subarctic Peoples, they adopted many different shelter designs. Write a Paragraph explaining why do you think this is the case. D. Subarctic bands did not grow beyond 25-30 people. What kept bands at this small size and how would the development of agriculture (farming) possibly have changed this? State THREE reasons for your answer. E. WRITE A POEM describing how the arrival of Europeans changed the Subarctic Peoples’ way of life.
The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 5 // The Subarctic People pg. 28
Vocabulary // Lesson 5 The Subarctic Peoples
Boreal Forest The large forests of the subarctic region, made up of coniferous trees, marshes, and bogs. Eastern Subarctic Peoples Lived between modern day Newfoundland and Saskatchewan and mostly spoke languages of the Algonquian family. Western Subarctic Peoples Lived between modern day Saskatchewan and Alaska and mostly spoke languages of the Dene family. Pemmican A nutritious food that could be stored for lengths of time consisting of berries, fat, and animal meat. Bands Tribal groups of 25-30 people who travelled, lived, and hunted together. Dog Sled Teams Groups of dogs used to pull a bands belongings across snow. Culture Hero A revered legendary figure, sometimes referred to as a trickster, who tribes would tell stories of and believe in. Shamans / Dreamers Spiritual leaders who held religious ceremonies, practiced healing, and performed other rituals.
