1. Population of the Quebec Territory
Circa 1500

2. Demographic of Aboriginal peoples
Aboriginal nations each had their own language, beliefs, ways of life and territories.
Aboriginal nations were grouped into 3 linguistic families: Iroquoian, Algonquian, and Inuktitut.
Examine document 20

4. Demographics of Aboriginal peoples
Researchers used the size and location of archeological sites as well as the capacity of a given environment to feed a population in order to determine the aproximate Aboriginal population in 1500.
They also studied the first hand accounts of the first European obsevers.
Examine document 21.

5. Organization of Aboriginal societies and their territory
The nations in this area showed similarities in the organization of the territory they occupied and in their social and political organization.
Read document 24

6. Occupation and organization of their territory
Iroquoians
Occupation and organization of their territory
Way of life
Semi-sedentary
Dwelling
- Longhouse
Dwellings grouped in a village, often surrounded by a palisade
Situated on fertile soil, suitable for agriculture, close to water and forest

7. Iroquoian Social organization Kinship
Lineage traced from mother to daughter
A married man usually lived with his wife’s family
Social organization
The clan
- Group of families descended from the same maternal ancestor
The village
- Made up of many longhouses belonging to different clans
Nation
- All of the villages in a given territory, shared language and culture
Confederation
- Different nations joined in a league or union for strategic purposes (trade and defence)

8. The longhouse

9. Iroquoian Political organization Exercise of power Civil chief Council
Political representation
Exercise of power
- Government by consensus (everyone agrees), by men appointed by female elders
Civil chief
- Hereditary position
- Management of village’s internal affairs
- Relations with other villages and peoples
Council
-Association of clan chiefs at the village, nation or league level

10. Algonquian
Moved around constantly to find the resources they needed for survival.

11. Algonquian Organization of their territory Way of life Nomadic
Dwelling
- Wigwam (bark or animal hide tent)
Summer camp: group of many tents near a navigable waterway
Winter camp: small group of tents, located inland

12. Algonquian Social organization Nuclear family Hunting group The band
Kinship
Lineage traced from father to son
A married woman lived with her husband’s family
Social organization
Nuclear family
- Dad, mom, kids
- More than one family might live in a wigwam, depending on its size
Hunting group
- Small group of a few families belonging to the same band (in winter)
The band
- Large group of several realted families (in summer)

13. Algonquian Political organization Political representation
Exercise of power
- Government by consensus
Band chief
- Temporary position
- Man chosen by his peers for his hunting skills or influence on other members of the band

14. Inuit
Lived in very harsh climate conditions and had to be highly adaptable .
This characteristic is reflected in their territorial, social and political organization.

15. Inuit Occupation and organization of territory Way of life Nomadic
Dwelling
- Animal hide tent (in summer)
Igloo (in winter)
Camp of varying size, larger in winter, during the seal hunt on the ice floe

16. Inuit Social organization Kinship
- Lineage traced from father to son - a married woman lived with her husband’s family
Social organization
Nuclear family
Hunting group
- small group of a few related families or friends (importance of friendship ties)
Regional band
- Group of several families

17. Inuit Political organization Political representation
Exercise of power
- Government by consensus
Band chief
- Temporary position, oldest active man in the group

18. Aboriginal peoples living together
Aboriginal peoples had contact with each other through commercial trade or armed conflicts.
In general, relations among the different groups depended on the population density in the area.
In the north, population density was very low, so groups rarely came into contact with each other.
However, there were still times when they came into conflict over hunting grounds.