1. Theories of First Peoples’ Origins
Archaeological and Aboriginal perspectives

2. Theories of First Peoples’ Origins
There are two views regarding the origins of First Peoples in North America
Archaeological perspective:
First Peoples arrived from somewhere else
Aboriginal perspective:
First Peoples were always there

3. Archaelogical Perspective
The archaeological perspective consists of 3 different theories as to how the First Peoples came to North America
Land Route
Pacific Route
Atlantic Route

4. The Land Route Theory
This theory states that during the last Ice Age, seawaters were so low that a land bridge spanned the 90km distance between Alaska and Siberia. This vast, grassy plain was called Beringia. The first peoples came across this land bridge chasing big game animals such as bison, caribou and mammoths.

5. The Pacific Route Theory
This theory states that the first peoples crossed the Pacific Ocean by watercraft from Polynesia and Australia. Fossil evidence of sea and land mammals suggests that there were enough natural resources at that time for coastal people to survive.

6. The Atlantic Route Theory
This theory states that people came from Southern Europe by navigating small watercraft, or walking on the borders of glaciers. Genetic markers have shown similarities in DNA between Aboriginals and Europeans – similarities not found between Aboriginals and Asians.

7. First Nations’ Theory
First Nations’ beliefs, supported by legends and oral histories, state that these people were always here. These creation stories are told differently, according to different aboriginal traditions, but they share the same idea: that this is aboriginals’ homeland.

8. Summary about First Peoples’ Origins
Two perspectives: Archaeological vs. Aboriginal
Archaeological
Land Route
Pacific Route
Atlantic Route
Aboriginal
Always here; creation stories