Beothuk

Historical Background Beothuks were some of the first aboriginals to be encountered by Europeans. Beothuks would paint themselves with Red ochre. The Europeans would call them “Red Indians” This name was eventually used for all eastern aboriginals Europeans described the Beothuks as inhuman and wild. The French accused Beothuks of petty theft and set out bounty on Beothuk scalps. The Mi’Kmaq would help the French with killing the Beothuks. The last Beothuk named Shawnadithit died in captivity in 1829 from tuberculosis. Shawnadithit

Culture Beothuks lived on the island of Newfoundland. Beothuk did not raise crops They had no dogs, they are believed to be the only aboriginals of North America who didn’t have dogs. They had bark containers and, stone arrows. Some other artifacts found were made out of bone. It is believed that there were no more than 500 to 1000 in population.

Religious Practices When a Beothuk loved one died they would wrap the body's of the loved one in birch bark and place them sitting up in shallow graves. Sometimes with ornaments carved from bone or ivory decorated with red paint. Beothuk worshiped in the moon and the sun Shawnadithit said they believed in a great sprit. This is believed to be a burial ground for Beothuk

Housing and Travel Beothuk lived in cone shaped houses made of bark. They fished and hunted on the coast from late winter to early fall During winter they would move inland and hunt caribou. Canoes where seven meters in length and weighed about 110 pounds. Sides of the canoe were a “W” shape. Canoes where Birch bark. Paddles of the canoe were sharp and used for hunting along with paddling.

Family Life Beothuk lived in bands of closely related families. There were 6-10 bands each with less than 100 people. Pottery was either unknown or very scarce. Instead Beothuk would cook in pots made of birch bark sewn watertight.

Language Little is known about the Beothuk language. It is believed to be similar to Algonquian. It is said that there were 350 words in their vocabulary. The vocabulary was found in 1792 by a girl named Oubee.

Clothing Clothing was covered in red paint. In winter Caribou skin leggings, Moccasins, and mittens were worn. Men wore mid length poncho from caribou skin. Women had hoods on the ponchos, sometimes infants were carried in the hoods. During summer nothing was worn on hands or on feet.

How They Adapted to the Land Beothuk did not raise crops. They hunted on the coast from late winter to early fall. Winter they moved inland and hunted caribou. They hunted with bows and arrows, harpoons, spears. Beothuk had no dogs. They cooked food in birch bark pots, pottery was either unknown or scarce.

Bibliography Howley J. (1974). The Beothuks or Red Indians. Toronto; Coles Publishing Company. Leechman D. Native Tribes of Canada. Toronto; W.J. Gage Limited. Dickerson O. (1997) Canada’s first Nations Toronto; Oxford University Press. Mankind (1984) New York, London, Toronto; Marshal Cavendish Limited. Ingeborg Marshall. Beothuk Religious Beliefs and Practices. 26 Sep Beothuks of Newfoundland. 26 Sep