Population of the Quebec Territory Circa 1500

Demographic of Aboriginal peoples Aboriginal nations each had their own language, beliefs, ways of life and territories. Aboriginal nations were grouped into 3 linguistic families: Iroquoian, Algonquian, and Inuktitut. Examine document 20

Demographics of Aboriginal peoples Researchers used the size and location of archeological sites as well as the capacity of a given environment to feed a population in order to determine the aproximate Aboriginal population in 1500. They also studied the first hand accounts of the first European obsevers. Examine document 21.

Organization of Aboriginal societies and their territory The nations in this area showed similarities in the organization of the territory they occupied and in their social and political organization. Read document 24

Occupation and organization of their territory Iroquoians Occupation and organization of their territory Way of life Semi-sedentary Dwelling - Longhouse Dwellings grouped in a village, often surrounded by a palisade Situated on fertile soil, suitable for agriculture, close to water and forest

Iroquoian Social organization Kinship Lineage traced from mother to daughter A married man usually lived with his wife’s family Social organization The clan - Group of families descended from the same maternal ancestor The village - Made up of many longhouses belonging to different clans Nation - All of the villages in a given territory, shared language and culture Confederation - Different nations joined in a league or union for strategic purposes (trade and defence)

The longhouse

Iroquoian Political organization Exercise of power Civil chief Council Political representation Exercise of power - Government by consensus (everyone agrees), by men appointed by female elders Civil chief - Hereditary position - Management of village’s internal affairs - Relations with other villages and peoples Council -Association of clan chiefs at the village, nation or league level

Algonquian Moved around constantly to find the resources they needed for survival.

Algonquian Organization of their territory Way of life Nomadic Dwelling - Wigwam (bark or animal hide tent) Summer camp: group of many tents near a navigable waterway Winter camp: small group of tents, located inland

Algonquian Social organization Nuclear family Hunting group The band Kinship Lineage traced from father to son A married woman lived with her husband’s family Social organization Nuclear family - Dad, mom, kids - More than one family might live in a wigwam, depending on its size Hunting group - Small group of a few families belonging to the same band (in winter) The band - Large group of several realted families (in summer)

Algonquian Political organization Political representation Exercise of power - Government by consensus Band chief - Temporary position - Man chosen by his peers for his hunting skills or influence on other members of the band

Inuit Lived in very harsh climate conditions and had to be highly adaptable . This characteristic is reflected in their territorial, social and political organization.

Inuit Occupation and organization of territory Way of life Nomadic Dwelling - Animal hide tent (in summer) Igloo (in winter) Camp of varying size, larger in winter, during the seal hunt on the ice floe

Inuit Social organization Kinship - Lineage traced from father to son - a married woman lived with her husband’s family Social organization Nuclear family Hunting group - small group of a few related families or friends (importance of friendship ties) Regional band - Group of several families

Inuit Political organization Political representation Exercise of power - Government by consensus Band chief - Temporary position, oldest active man in the group

Aboriginal peoples living together Aboriginal peoples had contact with each other through commercial trade or armed conflicts. In general, relations among the different groups depended on the population density in the area. In the north, population density was very low, so groups rarely came into contact with each other. However, there were still times when they came into conflict over hunting grounds.