Unit 2, Chapter 2: The People Who Lived Here Tells story of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during and before the 19th century. By the end of this unit: Who they were, the challenges and crises they faced, how the government responded and various features of their lifestyles.

The People Who Lived Here Aboriginal People: Beothuk Mi’kmaq Innu Inuit Labrador Metis

The People Who Lived Here Newcomers (Immigrants): English Irish French Scottish

Beothuk Lived and travelled in bands between 30-55 people Lived off the land and sea. Summer: camped along coastline and used canoes to look for food. Winter-moved inland. Lived on the: Avalon Peninsula, Bonavista Peninsula, St. George’s Bay, Red Indian Lake.

Beothuk’s Shelter SUMMER Mamateek: Cone-shaped tents. Covered with sheets of birch and bark. WINTER Mamateek: Solidly built. Covered with animal skin. Insulated with moss.

Beothuk’s Cultural Practices Red Ochre a pigment containing iron oxide. thought it had life-giving power. covered body and possessions. called “Red Indians”, but is not used today.

Shanawdithit

Extinction of the Beothuk: Explanation European settlers moved onto their land. No trading with each other. Starvation. Fewer resources. Diseases, like tuberculosis. Threat of being killed by Europeans. Did not have weapons that could compete with the gun. Competition with Mi’kmaq for land Government could not protect them-they were too far away.

Mi’kmaq Oral tradition of the Mi’kmaq says they have lived here in Newfoundland before European immigration. Here in Newfoundland they followed a seasonal lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering. By the 19th century they were living in parts of the West coast, East coast, South Coast, and Central Newfoundland.

Mi’kmaq Mi’kmaq unlike the Beothuks, had considerable able of social and commerical contact with European Settlers. Through the fur trade and being hired as guides helped this relationship. Helped the Government of NL during the early days to find national resources due to their vast knowledge of the land Today they live in the settlement of Conne River and had converted to Roman Catholic.

Innu Before the arrival of newcomers from Europe the Innu occupied many parts of both Labrador and Quebec. Their language is known as ‘Innu-Aimun’ The Innu currently live in the communities of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu.

Innu There are two branches of the Innu people. The northern branch are known as Mushuau and The southern branch are known as Sheshatshiu The Innu maintained a migratory lifestyle that depended greatly upon the caribou for food and clothing. When the caribou were plentiful they had little need for European goods.

Innu In the mid 1800’s fur trading posts were established by Europeans. This would have dire consequences. Along with hunting animals for food, the Innu began trapping for trade purposes. With increased trading and trapping many Innu Families would fall to starvation With decline in caribou herds and competition with trapping the Innu would suffer. To this day maintaining traditional Innu lifestyle and culture is a challenge.

Inuit The Inuit have lived in Labrador for hundreds of years. They speak the language Inuktitut. They fished and hunted for food and materials for everyday life. In late winter and early spring they depended on food that were stored in rock caches.

Inuit They would travel by dog team or kayak/umiak. Also wore clothing of seal and caribou. Lived in sod houses (gamartalik) in winter and animal skin tents in summer. Life both social and economic was surrounded around the family.

Inuit By the early 19th century contact was happening with the Europeans. (Through mission stations) Started to adopt christian holidays such as Christmas & Easter. Their traditions/lifestyle began to be influenced by the European missionaries

Inuit Overfishing of whales by Americans and Europeans put emphasis on seal hunt. Other resources would feel the strain. Such as cod and furs. Diseases would end up hurting the Inuit population. Ex: Measles and Influenza

Inuit