Colonization Hits Home FNAT 102 Lecture Spring/2010

“In all change there is continuity, and in all tradition there is also change” Marshall (2000) Change & Continuity are not dichotomous Outsiders look at post-contact change in our communities as loss of culture and a corresponding loss of distinct identity and rights

If you only focus on change, you only see change Marshall (2000) documents house changes at Yuqout Shed to gable roof style Multi-family to nuclear family Specialized Feast houses Later disappearance of Potlatch houses Perry (2003) and Neylan (2000) examine the missionary effect in community housing change But continuity was also evident See material culture changes but the beliefs/social networks remain

Marshall’s myopia Divorces display and meaning Potlatch/Tamanawas ban not really examined for effect on material culture Need full story of the Whaler’s Shrine Removal & relocation from Yuqout, not abandonment Social dislocation & reduced means impact feasting

Outward Appearances, Inner Truths Often modified interior of homes Central fireplaces in large common rooms Connected row houses/partition removal Developed feast houses and often retained spatial relationships Though Powell in 1876 said “the Indians of this province are its best consumers”, much of that consumption went to cultural practice not just housing Conversion (religion & lifestyle) often a means to gain further resources and enable cultural goals

The Missionary’s position Crosby’s division Christian Street Church, mission buildings, neat row of euro-style houses, streetlights, sidewalks, etc. Heathen Street Longhouses on the beach, spatially ranked, totems, smokehouses, etc. Linked rewards to move

In Service of a Social Order Evangelization and housing reform went had in hand – targeted many ‘needy’ groups, not just aboriginal people Industrialization = separation Men/women; public/private; domestic/economic Houses on reserves in B.C. (1880) 255; (1883) 3391; (1885) 11,509 Schools to train laborers

Shrinking Houses, Declining Health Kelm (1998) links the move to single family reserve housing to infectious disease spread and infant mortality Reduced seasonal round also impacted 1942 TB death rate 15X higher Plank houses superior, less crowded/dank Reserve locations also an issue eg. Water access

Lingering Disease, Generational Response Population recovery start ranges from 1920’s to 1940’s Cultural knowledge becomes highly concentrated and thus elders more precious Communities become even more pro-natalist in desire to rebuild family, clan and nation strength

Recovery and Remarkable Retention With population growth and renewed resources Less external restriction Rebuilding of feast houses Extended family still trumps the nuclear Expanding into returned lands Health though still lagging is improving Again consuming within culture