Social Relationships among Indigenous Peoples [Notes 1.2]

INUIT & ALGONQUIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION The social organization of the Inuit and the Algonquians was simple and flexible It was adapted to their nomadic way of life and to their seasonal migrations

INUIT SOCIAL OGANIZATION The Nuclear Family: Immediate family The Camp: Winter Camps Camps of approx. 100 people Several families Relied on food reserves Spring Camps Camps of 10 to 20 people Smaller groups made it easier to hunt and fish

ALGONQUIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION The Nuclear Family: Immediate family Winter-Fall: The Hunting Group A few families 10-20 people Moved to hunting territories to set up winter camps Summer: The Band Approx. 100-200 people Several families Abundance of Resources The Nation: All of the bands that had a common language and culture formed a nation.

IROQUOIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Villages were made up of hundreds – and sometimes even thousands- of people They required a more complex social organization adapted to their sedentary lifestyle

The Nuclear Family and the Extended Family: -Families belonging to the same matrilineal lineage -Lived in the same longhouse The Clan: -Families from the same maternal ancestor -All clans were designated by a totemic animal (ex. wolf clan) -Each longhouse was associated with one clan The Village: -Made up of several longhouses -There were many clans in each Iroquoian village The Nation: -Several villages that shared the same language and culture The Confederacy: -Iroquoian nations joined together to form confederacies for security and defense

DEFINITIONS Council Consensus An assembly that brings together chiefs or certain members of the community to discuss an issue and make decisions Consensus A majority agreement among the members of a community on an issue that concerns the group

DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE INUIT The Inuit lived in small groups, at a great distance from each other. This way of life required quick decision making Decisions were made based on consensus Decisions were often influenced by leaders in the community

DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE ALGONQUIAN Chiefs made daily decisions [ex. deciding where to camp, organizing hunting expeditions, etc.] More complex decisions were debated in council [ex. declaring war or making peace]

DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE IROQUOIS Iroquoian political organization was more complex It involved several levels of: Chiefs (War Chief, Civil Chief) Councils (Council of Elders, Council of Women, etc.)

FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS Among both the Algonquians and Iroquoians, chiefs were chosen for their: Courage -The courage of men would be shown as they hunted and during war -Women would demonstrate bravery when they gave birth

FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS Eloquence -The quality of speaking well -Having the ability to convince others Generosity -They believed it was their duty to give, receive and give back -Resources were shared

ORAL TRADITION . Indigenous peoples did not use writing. Their culture and knowledge was transmitted orally. This role was usually assigned to elders. .

There were 2 types of stories 1. Creation legends explained the origins of the world 2. Myths explained the relationship between humans and nature

INDIGENOUS SPIRITUALITY Spiritual Practices Indigenous spirituality was closely tied to the environment They believed that humans were equal to all other beings The Algonquians and the Iroquoians believed that all elements of their environment had a spirit [i.e., humans, animals, plants, rocks, etc.]

INDIGENOUS SPIRITUALITY Relationship with Animals Indigenous peoples had a very close connection with animals They believed that a hunter’s success was based not only on skill but also on the hunter’s respect for the animal’s spirit They believed that the animal sacrificed itself to the hunter They respected certain rules when hunting: Ex. The Mi'kmaq did not burn any animal bones out of respect

THE SHAMANIC TRADITION Indigenous societies believed that spirits communicated messages, warnings or instructions to the living through dreams Individuals called shamans, were known to interpret dreams more accurately Shamans could also: -predict the future -chase away evil spirits -have frequent visions -Heal people

THE SHARING OF GOODS The concept of sharing was a fundamental aspect of Indigenous culture Reciprocal Gift-Giving: They believed that it was their duty to give, to receive and to give back