Indigenous peoples and communities of Canada

In Quebec, relatively little is taught about indigenous people. Indeed, apart from important information that directly affects the history of Nouvelle-France, we can say that nothing is taught about the Firt Nations in the primary and high school of this province. Consequently, the majority of Quebecers know nothing about indigeanous peoples in the rest of Canada.

Personally, I am interested in the culture and history of the Nordic peoples. So, I find out about indigenous people across Canada. Here is some information I found on the Canada.ca website.

The word “indigenous” refers to the first people who inhabited North America and their descendants.

Geographic distribution of First Nations

The Canadian Constitution recognize 3 groups of indigenous people :

1. Indians (hereinafter referred as First Nations) : There are currently 630 First Nations communities in Canada. This represents over 50 nations speaking over 50 dialects;
2. Inuit : These are the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Th term “Inuit” means “people” in the Inuit language, Inuktitut;
3. Métis : These are distinct peoples who have mixed ancestry (First Nation or Inuit and European) as well as customs and their own, recognizable and distinct identity.

Indigenous peoples have historically been groupes into 6 main geographic regions. Each group shares a similar culture and is formed from a commen environment.

1. Woodland First Nations : Occupy the dense boreal forest of eastern Canada;
2. Iroquois First Nations : Found in the far south, on land suitable for growing corn, beans and squash;
3. Plains First Nations : Inhabit the plains of Canada;
4. Plateau First Nations : Their territory ranges from the semi-desert spaces of the south to the high mountains and denses forests of the north;
5. Pacific Coast First Nations : Their region is full of salmon, seafood and giant red cedars;
6. First Nations of the Mackenzie and Yukon river basins : This last hostile zone is made up of forests, arid lands and muskeg.

First Nations social organization

Woodland First Nations

Historically, the majority of woodland First Nations were independent groups that ad their own hunting grounds. Often, the chief earned his title be demoinstrating great courage or considerable hunting skills.

Iroquois First Nations

As for the Iroquois (now alled Haudenosaunee), they di not travail to feed. They were excellent farmers and built longhouses. Their sedentary lifestyle allowed them to create a complex 3-level governmental system based on democratic principles :

1. Village council;
2. Tribal council;
3. Confederation council.

For exemple, the Huron-Wendat used the 3 levels of politics. Each council made its decisions according to a consensus reached after long discussions.

Plains First Nations

For their part, the Plains First Nations, a migratory group, were represented by a chief. They gathered in the summer to organize spiritual ceremonies, dances, parties and group hunting trips. Although each band was independent, there were military groupes in order to :

• Maintain order;
• Regulate life in the camps or during travel;
• Ensure defense.

The social organization of several Plains First Nations was influenced by that of Pacific Coast First Nations. This is why the Dakelh-ne, Tahltan and Tsilhqot’in had a stratified social system composed of nobles, common people and slaves.

Pacific Coast First Nations

As assumed in the previous paragraph, the First Nations of the Pacific Coast had the 3 social strata mentioned above. Added to this is an aristocratic class whose members were defined as superior from birth. In addition, the basic social unit of this geographical sector was the lineage : the members were alla descendants of the same ancestor. Most lineages had their characteristic emblems represented by either an animal or supernatural beaing. The latter were considered the founders of the lineage in question. The totem pole is the best known method of arranging emblems.

First Nations of the Mackenzie and Ykon River Basins

And then, Regarding the First Nations of the Mackenzie and Yukon river basins, they inhabited a vast territory where winters were long and harsh. In addition, game is rather rare. These First Nations were made up of multiple family units that cooperated with each other. Each group hunted on a separate territory. Tradition and usage determined the limits of these territories. The leader was appointed according to the particular needs of the moment. For exemple, the best hunter was chosen to lead the group during the caribou hunting season.

Reflection and discussion

Ultimately, the social organization of the various First Nations peoples is very varied. From a certain point of view, many new democracy and others aristocracy well before the arrival of Europeans.

You who read this text :

• Are you indigenous? If yes, what nation are you from? And, what can you add to this text?
• If you are non-native, have you learned anything?

Join the conversation on Facebook

N.B. – The Canada.ca website states that the word “Inuit” means “people” in the Inuit Language. However, a Canada Parks employee who collaborates with indigenous communities, and who worked in Iqaluit for several years, told me that in fact, the word “Inuit” means “humans” in the plural while the singular is “Inuk”. She also gives the example of the term “Iqaluk” which means “fish” in the singular and “Iqaluit” which “fish” in the plural.

References :

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/fra/1100100013785/1529102490303

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/fra/1467641790303/1536238795753#chp4c

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/fra/1307460755710/1536862806124