2. Social Relationships among Indigenous Peoples [Notes 1.2]

3. INUIT & ALGONQUIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The social organization of the Inuit and the Algonquians was simple and flexible
It was adapted to their nomadic way of life and to their seasonal migrations

4. INUIT SOCIAL OGANIZATION
The Nuclear Family:
Immediate family
The Camp:
Winter Camps
Camps of approx. 100 people
Several families
Relied on food reserves
Spring Camps
Camps of 10 to 20 people
Smaller groups made it easier to hunt and fish

5. ALGONQUIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The Nuclear Family:
Immediate family
Winter-Fall: The Hunting Group
A few families
10-20 people
Moved to hunting territories to set up winter camps
Summer: The Band
Approx people
Several families
Abundance of Resources
The Nation:
All of the bands that had a common language and culture formed a nation.

6. IROQUOIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Villages were made up of hundreds – and sometimes even thousands- of people
They required a more complex social organization adapted to their sedentary lifestyle

7. The Nuclear Family and the Extended Family:
-Families belonging to the same matrilineal lineage
-Lived in the same longhouse
The Clan:
-Families from the same maternal ancestor
-All clans were designated by a totemic animal (ex. wolf clan)
-Each longhouse was associated with one clan
The Village:
-Made up of several longhouses
-There were many clans in each Iroquoian village
The Nation:
-Several villages that shared the same language and culture
The Confederacy:
-Iroquoian nations joined together to form confederacies for security and defense

8. DEFINITIONS Council Consensus
An assembly that brings together chiefs or certain members of the community to discuss an issue and make decisions
Consensus
A majority agreement among the members of a community on an issue that concerns the group

9. DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE INUIT
The Inuit lived in small groups, at a great distance from each other. This way of life required quick decision making
Decisions were made based on consensus
Decisions were often influenced by leaders in the community

10. DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE ALGONQUIAN
Chiefs made daily decisions [ex. deciding where to camp, organizing hunting expeditions, etc.]
More complex decisions were debated in council [ex. declaring war or making peace]

11. DECISION MAKING AMONG: THE IROQUOIS
Iroquoian political organization was more complex
It involved several levels of:
Chiefs (War Chief, Civil Chief)
Councils (Council of Elders, Council of Women, etc.)

12. FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS
Among both the Algonquians and Iroquoians, chiefs were chosen for their:
Courage
-The courage of men would be shown as they hunted and during war
-Women would demonstrate bravery when they gave birth

13. FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS
Eloquence
-The quality of speaking well
-Having the ability to convince others
Generosity
-They believed it was their duty to give, receive and give back
-Resources were shared

14. ORAL TRADITION .
Indigenous peoples did not use writing. Their culture and knowledge was transmitted orally.
This role was usually assigned to elders. .

15. There were 2 types of stories
1. Creation legends explained the origins of the world
2. Myths explained the relationship between humans and nature

16. INDIGENOUS SPIRITUALITY
Spiritual Practices
Indigenous spirituality was closely tied to the environment
They believed that humans were equal to all other beings
The Algonquians and the Iroquoians believed that all elements of their environment had a spirit [i.e., humans, animals, plants, rocks, etc.]

17. INDIGENOUS SPIRITUALITY
Relationship with Animals
Indigenous peoples had a very close connection with animals
They believed that a hunter’s success was based not only on skill but also on the hunter’s respect for the animal’s spirit
They believed that the animal sacrificed itself to the hunter
They respected certain rules when hunting:
Ex. The Mi'kmaq did not burn any animal bones out of respect

18. THE SHAMANIC TRADITION
Indigenous societies believed that spirits communicated messages, warnings or instructions to the living through dreams
Individuals called shamans, were known to interpret dreams more accurately
Shamans could also:
-predict the future
-chase away evil spirits
-have frequent visions
-Heal people

19. THE SHARING OF GOODS
The concept of sharing was a fundamental aspect of Indigenous culture
Reciprocal Gift-Giving: They believed that it was their duty to give, to receive and to give back