The Impact of Contact Pg 36-39

What is Contact? Contact is the term historians use to refer to the time when Europeans first came to North America. The arrival of newcomers brought many challenges to way of life for the First Nations and Inuit.

Early Contact in the Maritimes First Nations/Europeans were curious of each other First Nations/Europeans were curious of each other Newcomers struggled to survive in this new land and badly need the help the First Nations offered. Newcomers struggled to survive in this new land and badly need the help the First Nations offered. They both realized there were good economic opportunities. They both realized there were good economic opportunities. First Nations had furs and other helpful items First Nations had furs and other helpful items Newcomers had metal knives, pots, and tools. Newcomers had metal knives, pots, and tools. LET’S TRADE!!!!! LET’S TRADE!!!!! This was the beginning of the fur trade. This was the beginning of the fur trade.

Maritime First Nations at the Time of Contact Mi’kmaq Mi’kmaq (Nova Scotia, PEI, and Eastern NB) (Nova Scotia, PEI, and Eastern NB) Maliseet Maliseet (Western New Brunswick and NE Maine) (Western New Brunswick and NE Maine) Passamaquoddy Passamaquoddy (SE Maine and SW New Brunswick) (SE Maine and SW New Brunswick)

Treaties Conflicts between Europeans and First Nations Conflicts between Europeans and First Nations Conflicts between French and English Conflicts between French and English Great Britain had the most power of the European countries. Great Britain had the most power of the European countries. Treaties - an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation (put this in your glossary) Treaties - an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation (put this in your glossary) First Nations and British agreed that treaties would help them get along in the future. First Nations and British agreed that treaties would help them get along in the future. British would have First Nations on their side against the French if needed. British would have First Nations on their side against the French if needed.

Covenant Chain of Treaties Between 1717 and 1779, multiple treaties between the British and First Nations Between 1717 and 1779, multiple treaties between the British and First Nations Sometimes called Treaties of Peace and Friendship Sometimes called Treaties of Peace and Friendship Each treaty was different but the general theme was for First Nations to act peacefully toward the British. The British were to respect First Nations’ rights. Each treaty was different but the general theme was for First Nations to act peacefully toward the British. The British were to respect First Nations’ rights. First Nations did not agree to give up their land or resources (remember their idea of sharing the land) First Nations did not agree to give up their land or resources (remember their idea of sharing the land) Some of these treaties were broken but many are still in place. Some of these treaties were broken but many are still in place.

The Effects of the Fur Trade First Nations’ economies changed First Nations’ economies changed Became dependent on the fur trade Became dependent on the fur trade Spent time hunting year round for furs rather than seasonal for their own needs Spent time hunting year round for furs rather than seasonal for their own needs Became dependent on European goods Became dependent on European goods Cycle: Hunting for furs to trade for goods and they had to trade for goods because they spent so much time hunting. Cycle: Hunting for furs to trade for goods and they had to trade for goods because they spent so much time hunting.

The Result Eventually the fur supply would run out. Eventually the fur supply would run out. British would go elsewhere for furs (west) British would go elsewhere for furs (west) First Nations had become dependent on European goods but had little to trade with now. First Nations had become dependent on European goods but had little to trade with now. Couldn’t go back to original way of life because European settlement was taking away that option (settlement, land ownership, etc.) Couldn’t go back to original way of life because European settlement was taking away that option (settlement, land ownership, etc.)

The Effects of European Settlement # of Europeans increasing # of Europeans increasing Not a problem at first Not a problem at first European idea of land ownership cause problems European idea of land ownership cause problems Forests cut down, land cleared for farming, fences and boundaries established. European settlers were unwilling to share the land. Forests cut down, land cleared for farming, fences and boundaries established. European settlers were unwilling to share the land. This was not expected when they agreed to treaties. This was not expected when they agreed to treaties. Europeans also believed their ways were better and that First Nations should adopt their ways. Europeans also believed their ways were better and that First Nations should adopt their ways.

The Beothuk First Nations people of Newfoundland First Nations people of Newfoundland Est people at time of contact Est people at time of contact Seasonal hunting and gathering Seasonal hunting and gathering Europeans who came to this area were mainly interested in fishing. (Migratory) Europeans who came to this area were mainly interested in fishing. (Migratory) Very little trading opportunity Very little trading opportunity British settlements eventually came to Nfld. British settlements eventually came to Nfld. Encroached into area where Beothuk lived. Encroached into area where Beothuk lived. After many years of conflict, the Beothuk struggled to survive and died out and the group became extinct. (c.1829) After many years of conflict, the Beothuk struggled to survive and died out and the group became extinct. (c.1829)