Unit 2 Part B Early Canadian History Economic Empowerment

Aboriginal Peoples Aboriginal means “living in a land from the earliest times” – in other words, the First People of a region. There are three distinct aboriginal groups in Canada today. The Inuit First Nations The first Métis

The Inuit The Inuit are the people who settled in the north. They adapted to the climate and as a culture, thrived. The inukshuk may have been used for navigation, as a point of reference, a marker for hunting grounds, or as a food cache. At Enukso Point on Baffin Island there are over 100 inuksuit and the area has been designated one of Canada's national historic sites. Inukshuk

The Inuit Inukshuk Inukshuk Movie click here

The Inuit The Inuit often lived together in small groups that moved around frequently. This nomadic lifestyle allowed them to constantly find food and adequate materials for shelter. Often they hunted seal and lived on the ice during the winter. In summer they lived in tents, fished and hunted the wild game of the region.

First Nations First Nations are the first peoples of the rest of the land that is now Canada. There are many First Nations: Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Pasamaquoddy to name a few.

First Nations

First Nations Question: How would distinct geographic factors contribute to the formation of separate and distinct cultures from tribe to tribe?

First Nations & Inuit Economies Needs and wants: The economy of each nation was based upon the natural resources that were available to them. Question: What were some of the key natural resources available to native peoples in Canada?

First Nations & Inuit Economies Production: In the past Native people made everything they needed by hand. They became very skilled at using their resources in an efficient way. In most regions people were nomadic or traveled through out the year. They often returned to the same spots for each season.

First Nations & Inuit Economies Although cultures varied from tribe to tribe the essential beliefs did not. Native people believed there was a connection between all living creatures and nature. There were different ceremonies to give thanks and show respect for nature. Read The Creator Visits on pg 29 of your text book

First Nations & Inuit Economies Distribution: In native communities everyone helped in production and everyone shared equally in what was produced. Some nations had very clear boundaries for hunting and fishing and others allowed everyone to enter and leave as they wanted to.

First Nations & Inuit Economies Land: In native communities no one owned the land. To them thinking a person could own the land was like thinking they could own the air. Even if some families harvested one area they did not own it but cared for it on behalf of the larger group.

Unit 2 Part B Early Canadian History Economic Empowerment