Food from Canadian and Global Perspectives Unit 5

Our Aboriginal Food Heritage Chapter 22

Aboriginal People In Canada Aboriginal people lived on the land and exploited its rivers, lakes, and seas. They were skilled fishers and hunters. There were many cultural groups with different food customs

Woodlands Peoples Lived in what is now eastern Canada. They lived in the boreal forest, They hunted Moose, Deer, Bear, Caribou, geese, and ducks. They fished cod, lobster, oysters, Eel, Salmon, Scallops They also had agricultural skills and grew a variety of plants. They also used many different green plants for medical use. Maple Syrup was very important to their culture

The Plains Peoples. Nomadic people who followed the buffalo herd They used the buffalo for many things Food, shelter, clothing. Buffalo meat was dried so it could be stored through the winter Pemmican: A mixture of powdered dried meat, fat, and sometimes berries. Pemmican was important because it was highly nutritious, and could be carried while traveling. They ate birds to supplement their diets Those who lived near the mountains could eat moose and deer Near lakes they ate fish.

Plains People Ctd. Bannock: Flat round bread originally made from oat, rye, or barley meal and contains no leaving agent. Came from Europe but was quickly adapted by aboriginals because it was easy to make. They collected plants and roots. Many foods had spiritual meaning for Plains Peoples

The Plateau People They live in the interior of British Columbia. They relied heavily on salmon for their diet. They would smoke or dry it so it could be stored They ate a waterfowl, roots, greens, game, and berries.

Pacific Coast Aboriginal People They were able to settle due to the plentiful supplies of the ocean. They used nets, harpoons and trolling to catch fish. They collected many wild greens in spring. They collected and grew many berries along the mountainside

Peoples of the Mackenzie and Youkon River Basin They lived in the north along the rivers. They often faced a scarcity of food supplies They were nomadic and migrated. They followed moose, caribou, mountain sheep depending on where they lived. They would dry meat so it could be stored.

The Inuit People Had different lifestyles in the winter and summer. Winter months they hunted marine mammals, In summer months they traveled inland to fish, hunt, and collect berries. Seal and caribou meet was dried, or frozen

Traditions of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Health and wellness were very important to Aboriginals It was seen as freedom of body, mind and spirit. People shared food Little was wasted Potlatch: Ceremonial feast of the peoples of northwest Pacific Coast Pow wow: Large gathering of people usually includes eating, dancing, and singing.

Changing Food Habits and Nutritional Concerns Traditional foods are not easily obtained No longer nomadic Concerns Obesity: Overeating and obesity was against many beliefs but is now a major health issue Diabetes Mellitus: Begins usually at age 40 Cardiovascular Disease: Leading cause of death among aboriginal peoples Dental Disease Cost of food