Unit 1 THE FIRST OCCUPANTS , p.37 Designated focus

1. Unit 1THE FIRST OCCUPANTS , p.37Designated focus • THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FIRST OCCUPANT’S CONCEPTION OF THE WORLD AND THEIR SOCIAL ORGANIZATION • Central concept: Conception of the world • Common concepts: Circle of life Environment Elders Spirituality Oral tradition *Culture

2. What does it mean …’conception of the world’ ? • It constitutes an agreed set of principles that brings stability in a society. The acceptance of the same conception of the world becomes effective only if based on harmonized efforts on the part of the elements of the society.

3. The case of …

4. Nature was a bountiful giver FORESTS birch, maple, oak, pine, spruce, fir trees bear, moose, passenger pigeon extinct RIVERS AND LAKES beaver, muskrat, raccoon, otter, salmon, eels, geese and ducks SEA Shallow water: shellfish (mussels, clams, whelks, periwinkels,squid, rabs,lobsters) fish (flounder, smelt, shad, skate, salmon, eels) Deep water: porpoise, sturgeon, swordfish, smaller whales NATURAL MEADOWSground nuts, cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry

5. Jacques Cartier’s evaluation of the St. Lawrence River ±1535 The land is everywhere covered with timber of several sorts and also with vines… There are a large number of big stags, does, bears, and other animals. There are many otters, beavers, martens, foxes, wild-cats, hares, rabbits, and squirrels. There are a great number ofbirds: cranes, bustards, swans, wild geese, ducks, drakes, blackbirds, thrushes, turtle-doves, wood pigeons, and other birds the same as in France. The St. Lawrence River is the richest in everykind of fish… In the summer great numbers of mackerel, mullets, maigres, tunnies, eels, and other fish abound. In the autumn there are good smelts. In the spring there are quantities of lampreys, and salmon. Above Stadacona are many pike, trout, carp, and other fresh water fish.

6. This bounty from nature led the Aboriginals to… • develop a close relationship with nature • easily learn about animals and plants • have profound respect for life itself • believe that there is a superior natural power that organizes and animates the material world. • They were animistic (attributed a living soul to animals, plants and sometimes to inanimate objects) • They avoided wasting natural resources and developed a barter economy. • They perceived themselves as one of many kinds of persons who lived in harmony in the same environment. Therefore, they viewed themselves as part of the ecological fabric, not its tailors.

7. CIRCLE OF LIFE • For many Aboriginal peoples, the circle is a powerful symbol of connectivity and completeness. The circle is the earth, the sky, the sun, the moon, the tipi, the seasons, the cycle of life. • For example, ‘talking circle’ has long been a place where everyone is equal, where all can have a say. It can also be used for emotional healing purposes. College of Nursing, Aboriginal Health, University of Saskatchewan

8. hunting habits rituals spirituality medicine oral tradition transport dwellings clothing eating habits their whole culture which revolved around their profound belief in animal persons, plant persons and Mother Earth belonging to every one. Animism had a direct implication on…

9. Spirituality • Friends could be human or non-human. The latter were known as ‘spirit –helpers’. • This man’s spirit-helper is a bear. The bond between a person and his spirit-helper was very strong. It was said that powerful people could even take the shape of a spirit-helper. The Micmac, How Their Ancestors Lived Five Hundred Years Ago, (1998) R. Holmes, H. McGee.

10. Medicine • From childhood people heard the stories of how various plant medicines came to be known. A stranger came to a settlement where there was some disease. He would reveal that he was really a plant person disguised as a human. He then would change form and show people how the plant looked at each season. They had special remedies for certain ailments Rheumatism – Paste of blueberry leaves Fever – alder bark tea Mild burns – ointment of pine resin Cuts – Juniper resin Diarrhea – Boiled strawberry roots and leaves

11. To have or not to have the right to a territory …