2. An Economy = Environment + Resources + Technology + Labour + the Need to Provide Livelihood

3. Aboriginal peoples’ world view shaped and directed the way they interacted with one another and with the natural environment
Ecological conditions dictated that Aboriginal peoples in different regions:
Pursued different economic activities
Had access to different resources
Determined the types of tools and technologies they created

4. Their way of life was suited to their unique environments as Aboriginal peoples adapted to changes that occurred over time
Divided by geography, language, and culture, First Nations developed diverse practices that allowed them to survive and prosper on harsh lands

6. At the time of First Contact Aboriginal Peoples:
Had an advanced knowledge of plant science that would later transform world’s approach to agriculture and medicine
Sixty percent of the world’s crops origins are traced to pre-contact Aboriginal farmers
Examples: Potatoes, Corn, Peppers, Squash, and Tomatoes
Techniques increased the global supply of nutritional foods allowing the world’s population to increase dramatically

7. At the time of First Contact Aboriginal Peoples:
Developed sophisticated stone tool technologies and methods of transportation suited to their environments
These various technologies reflected the social, economic, and cultural diversity of Aboriginal societies

8. What impact would geography have on the First Peoples in Canada?
Landscape and climate determined:
Traditional territories
Hunting, Fishing, and/or farming practices
Transportation options
Technological innovations
Size of population

9. Aboriginal innovations in agriculture:
Provided Europeans with new crops through trade
Developed sustainable farming practices
Demonstrated advanced food processing technology

10. European agriculture was based largely on animal farming
Aboriginal Techniques
European Techniques
Aboriginal peoples concentrated on plant science
Hundreds of varieties of corn developed
Developed grinding and preservation techniques while maintaining nutritional value
Gathered wild food such as rice and berries
Sustainability and biodiversity provided long term economic benefits
European agriculture was based largely on animal farming
Europeans had a different attitude toward land use
Individualistic practice aimed to control nature through monoculture
Not as concerned with sustainability and biodiversity

11. In addition to traditional farming, Aboriginal peoples gathered edible wild forest products such as nuts, berries, tree sap, and wild vegetables
Eaten fresh or sun dried and stored in watertight containers for use in winter months
Gathered plants such as sweetgrass for spiritual and ceremonial purposes

12. Although viewed inferior, Aboriginal medicine was much further advanced than its European counterpart
Europeans had a limited knowledge of plant science
Aboriginal medicines would become the basis for modern western pharmacology
Aboriginal cure for scurvy not only saved Jacques Cartier’s men from death but also led to the discovery of vitamins
Salicin found in tree bark was used to cure aches and pains and is still the active ingredient found in aspirin

13. Variety of resources found in North America’s eco-systems provided opportunity for Aboriginals to become great traders
Motivation for trade was the need for goods from other regions
Trade led to establishing friendships and creating alliances
Archaeological evidence shows well established long distance trading networks were developed

15. Artifacts uncovered in the St
Artifacts uncovered in the St. Lawrence Lowlands suggest very established trade routes:
Arrowheads found were made from materials found in Labrador
Copper tools were from north of Lake Superior
Conch shells discovered were from the Gulf of Mexico
Mineral Obsidian used to create tools and weapons was also traded
Wampum shells used to make wampum belts was traded
Wampum was an important component of the fur trade
Perishable food items and wooden objects assumed to be traded but evidence has long since decayed
Europeans changed the outlook as they did not trade based upon need, but did so to amass wealth

16. Transportation technologies were well adapted to the Canadian climate and physical geography
The canoe has been called “the masterpiece of Amerindian inventiveness”
Canoes and kayaks opened up the fur trade to European economies
The Thule built Umiak – flat bottomed boats that carried up to 20 people – used for whale hunting in the north
Plains people followed buffalo herds developed the Travois
Winter climate led to the development of dogsleds, snowshoes, skates, and sun goggles

17. Travois were pulled by dogs or wolves and later by horses after they were brought to the Americas by the Spanish in the 1500s
Horses were on the plains circa 1700s and drastically changed the buffalo hunt
Hunted Buffalo usually mostly spoiled before the meat could be preserved – horse drawn Travois sped up the process
Buffalo pounds corralled herd to waiting hunters
Buffalo jumps were steep cliffs over which herds were driven

18. Oral histories of Aboriginal people reveal a world view, or spiritual philosophy, that reflects a close relationship between their economies and the natural world
People were equal with nature, not superior
Most Aboriginal societies practiced a lifestyle of sustainable development – only using what was needed to survive

19. Wealth was measured in non-material values such as spiritual powers and good relationships
Material goods were associated with prestige when shared in ceremonies and rituals rather than as a marker of individual wealth
Potlatch- Pacifica Coast- celebratory feast demonstrating property was shared by community

20. By the time of first contact, Aboriginal Peoples had sophisticated economic systems tied to their ecosystems
Societies based upon interrelationships based upon available resources
For centuries they had acted on their world views- land was shared and used collectively and responsibly
Europeans had vastly different practices and first contact forever changed economic structures in the Americas