Chapter 1 The Land

Main territories of several B.C. First Nations The territories of many First Nations of B.C. are based on the boundaries formed by watersheds. Watershed: All the land drained by a particular river or lake; a drainage basin.

Traditional territory Norkam school is located on.

Major First Nations group within each region of B.C. Coast: Tlingit, Nisga’a, Haida, Haisla, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth Northern Interior: Gitxsan, Dakelh, Tsilhqot’in Northeast: Dene-thah, Dunne-za Southern Interior: Secwepemc, Okanagan

Environment for Coastal First Nations wet, mild climate temperate rain forests coniferous trees - western red cedar mountains rise out of the ocean many islands major rivers: Nass, Skeena, Dean, Bella Coola, Squamish fjords provide rich habitats southern coast has a drier climate

Resources for Coastal First Nations Forest: cedar, huckleberry, salal, salmonberry, licorice fern, devil’s club, camas bulb Ocean: salmon, oolichan, halibut, sole, cod, red snapper, herring, shellfish, seaweed oolichan: small fish important for its oil. Spawns in early spring - first harvest of the year. Animals: black bear, black- tailed deer, river otter, mink, wolverine, marten

Traditional settlement pattern for Coastal First Nations organized in resource-use units of extended families (house group) had a number of territories that provided resources throughout the year (salmon fishing, hunting, berry) each group had a hereditary chief (tribes) lived together in one large winter village extended family group inherited the territory

Lifestyle pattern for Coastal First Nations highly structured societies (hierarchy of chiefs, nobles, commoners, slaves followed a seasonal round - moved from location to location as resources became available winters in large villages of cedar longhouses (feasts, potlatches) spring - moved to spring resource camps (oolichan) summer - salmon camps Nuu-chah-nulth (whale hunting)

Environment for Southern Interior First Nations mountains, valleys, rivers (Fraser and Columbia) and lakes dry climate; wide range of seasonal temperatures hottest and driest region of BC forests of pine, dry grasslands desert

Resources for Southern Interior First Nations diversity in plant and animal life Important foods: berries, camas bulbs, “wild potatoes”, bitter-root Trade items: bitter- root, camas bulbs, Indian hemp fibre, dried berries, tobacco Animals: salmon, deer, elk, and moose

Traditional settlement pattern for Southern Interior First Nations Flexible governing systems, democratic, no class system Family groups associated together (band) Head chief as leader, consulted with Elders; position either hereditary, usually determined patrilineally, or elected winter villages beside major rivers or lakes (pit houses)

Lifestyle pattern for Southern Interior First Nations Seasonal round: spring - gather the green shoots of plants summer - berries and wild potatoes late summer - salmon (summer lodges) fall - hunting for animals

Environment for the Northeast First Nations along the Peace River, separated by the Rocky Mountains, Liard River watershed foothills of the Rockies, the muskeg of the north, prairies of the east Continental climate creates wide seasonal temperature range

Resources for the Northeast First Nations Large mammals: moose (MAIN RESOURCE), elk, caribou, mule deer, grizzly and black bear Beaver Wood bison in the past Fish: trout, Arctic grayling, whitefish, northern pike

Highly mobile lives as to follow large game animals Traditional settlement and lifestyle pattern for Northeast First Nations Settlement: Highly mobile lives as to follow large game animals Lifestyle: Athapaskan language Focus on hunting large game

Environment for Northern Interior First Nations boreal forest- spruce and fir trees cold climate with low precipitation Harsh climate leads to less diversity of plants and low population mountains, plateaus, and lakes muskeg / peat bogs cold winters and warm summers Fraser and Skeena rivers

Resources for Northern Interior First Nations moose caribou in northern areas mule deer in southern plateaus cougars, black bears, coyotes, wolves beaver in ponds and porcupines

Traditional settlement pattern for Northern Interior First Nations Flexible society - basic social unit was the extended family, which moved about during the year according to the season and the availability of game. Mobile society ready to hunt, fish, and trap to gather resources as they travelled throughout a large territory

Lifestyle pattern for Northern Interior First Nations Athapaskan language Dakelh society was more structured: clan and potlatch system regulated its resource territories