Contact with first nations peoples

1. Contact with first nations peoples Social Studies 7 Pages 46-50

2. Trade With The Mi’kmaq What qualities make a good trade? What qualities make a bad trade?

3. Trade With The Mi’kmaq: European Perspective • Europe had a high demand for the cod found off the coast of the new land they discovered (present day Newfoundland) • This high demand made a good and reliable profit for Europe • During their interactions in the new land, the Europeans traded goods with the First Nations people. • The First Nations people wanted to trade furs with the Europeans, however, Europeans were not always sure of the fur’s value.

4. Trade With The Mi’kmaq: A European Perspective • Europe had fur-bearing animals of their own and already traded furs with Russia. • They were not sure if the new furs from the First Nations people in the new land would be worth a try, if it would cost them too much, or if it would even be profitable.

5. Trade With The Mi’kmaq: A Mi’kmaq Perspective • Trading with the Europeans was viewed as an act of goodwill and respect. • When the First Nations people began trading with the Europeans, the most important factor in their minds was relationship building. • The Europeans valued the very old beaver furs from the Mi’kmaq. This was because the long outer fur had fallen off, leaving the soft underfur exposed. • In Europe, hat makers used this underfur to make felt.

6. Trade With The Mi’kmaq: A Mi’kmaq Perspective • The Mi’kmaq valued European metal goods. • They traded, what they felt were old clothes, for metal knives, axes, pots, kettles and needles. • They believed these items were durable (long-lasting) • They could now meet their needs with fewer resources and less trouble. (example of technology at that time)

7. The Tragedy of the Beothuk • Lived in Newfoundland and also encountered the European explorers • Unlike the Mi’kmaq, did not have a friendly relationship • Reasons are scarce because of a lack of written history. Here are a few: • Europeans did not question their rights to set up settlements in Newfoundland (imperialism) • Settlemtns disturbed traditional hunting and fishing areas • Beothuk took European equipment in an attempt to make them leave. This led to conflict. • Newfoundland became a British colony and more people arrived, which led to more conflict, loss of food supply, less traditional lands and extinction of Beothuk

8. Tragedy of the Beothuck: The Death of Shawnadithit • Initially the British tried to be friendly with the Beothuk, but the Beothuk avoided contact. • The British then captured some Beothuk with the intent of giving them gifts and making them messengers of peace. • Shawnadithit was one of the captured. Her father drowned trying to save her, her sister and mother from captivity. • They were taken to St. John’s, given gifts, then returned

9. Tragedy of the Beothuck: The Death of Shawnadithit • On their return, Shawnadithit’s sister and mother died, so she walked back to St. John’s. • William Cormack realized many Beothuk were dying of Tuberculosis. He tried to get an oral history from Shawnadithit but he could not speak her language. • Shawnadithitwas the last living Beothuk.