INDG 1220 Midterm Flashcards
define Indigenous
umbrella term used in canada, refers to first nations, metis, and inuit peoples. Safest term. Inhabited or existed on their land since time immemorial
define first nations
Indigenous people distinct from metis or inuit. Term originates in the 1970s and refers to those are are legally considered “indians” in the constitution Act 1982
Nehiyaw, dakota (assiniboine), anishinaabe, anishinininew, and dene
define metis
Refers to descendants of those with mixed ancestry between first nations and european settlers (mainly french and scottish) however they are a distinct group of people with their own language, culture, and territories
Official language - Michif
According to metis national council, metis means a person who self-identifies as metis, is distinct from other indigenous peoples is of historic metis nation ancestry and who is accepted by the metis nation
define inuit
Refers to indigenous peoples whose roots stem from inuit Nunangat, also known as Canadian arctic. Translates to “the place where inuit live
Inuit translates to “the people” in inuktitut. Therefore to say “inuit peoples” is redundant, translates to “the People Peoples”
define land acknowledgement
a formal statement recognizing the unique and enduring relationships that exists between indigenous peoples and their traditional territories
Express gratitude to those who reside here and to honour the indigenous people who have lived and worked on this land historically and presently
why is indigenous peoples pluralized?
indigenous peoples are diverse
when is acceptable to use term “Indian”
Put it in quotation marks
Citing books, art, historical documents etc.
In discussion -> needed for context
Relating it back to legal or constitutional subject matter (Indian Act)
Inuit Nunangat is compromised of which 4 regions?
- Inuvialuit (NW territories)
- Nunavik (northern quebec)
- Nunatsiavut (labrador)
- Nunavut
Who governs Red River Metis?
Manitoba metis federation
Metis national council: sask, ont, BC, alb
why is it important to know terminology of Indigenous peoples in canada?
cultural awareness
respect and recognition - shows respect to indigenous culture, identities, histories.
education - empowering
perservation of language
effective communication
building relationship
5 facts about indigenous studies
- educational program dedicated to surveying indigenous culture
- grounded by diverse ancestral knowledges
- stems from history, anthropology, colonial studies, ethnohistories
- relatively new field - emerged in 1960s
- places indigenous sovereignty at center of goals and trajectories
what does interdisciplinarity mean
an approach that integrates concepts, theories, and methodologies from multiple academic disciplines to address complex issues or topics
- multiple fields - collaboration of ideas and insights
why is interdisciplinarity important to indigenous studies?
indigenous histories is more than just what is written on a paper. It’s oral history, political, geographical, artistic experiences that shape indigenous peoples
Ex. teachings painted on birch bark scrolls, governance systems in beadwork, language reflects sounds of environment etc.
what does resurgence mean in context of indigenous peoples?
Process of awakening from a dormant period. Awakening
Turning inwards, builds strength within indigenous communities, decenters eurocentric scholarship, divests from authority of the Canadian settler state
reframes indigenous education as valid
what is the allegory of the “Vanishing Indian”
a narrative that portrays indigenous peoples as a disappearing or dying race
-emerged in 19 century-> depicting them as relics of past faded away by colonization and assimilation
Origins of vanishing indian
began when colonial attitudes viewed indigenous peoples as obstacles to progression - primitive -> naturally decline
-justified last dispossession and assimilation
Who is Edward curtis? what is he known for?
American photographer and ethnographer - best known for documenting indigenous peoples in early 20 century
- monumental project: “the north american indian” - photos of details of cultures and ways of life
how did edward contribute to allegory of “vanishing indian”
his portrayal of indigenous peoples emphasized traditional aspects of their culture- downplaying present day aspects
- reinforcing idea they are on brink of extinction
What are some ways that Indigenous peoples can regain control over their histories and
representation?
indigenous owned archives and museums
place importance on oral histories and community lead historical narratives
language revitalization
validity in indigenous mapping
6 cultural areas
arctic
subarctic
northwest
plateau
plains
eastern woodlands
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Arctic
climate: cold months: -30->40, high of -10->20
resources: seals, walrus, caribou, fish
indigenous groups: inuit
ways of life: semi-nomatic groups, used igloos and tents for shelter, hunting and fishing central to culture
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Subarctic
climate: cold, wet low of -40 in winter, high of 30 summers
resources: caribou, fish, moose
indigenous groups: Nehiyaw (Cree), Beothuck, Innu, Thchno (Dogrib)
ways of life: canoes in summer, sleds in winter, kinship networks, cooperation, seasonal hunting
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Northwest
climate: warmer, rarely below freezing in winter, coastal
3 indigenous groups: Tlingit, haida, tsimshian, kwakwaka’wakw
resources: salmon, herring and shellfish, sea lions, whales
ways of life: social status ranked based on how close they were to the chief, potlatch ceremonies, events building alliences
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Plateau
climate: flat area between mountains, hot dry summers, cold winters
3 indigenous groups: Secwepemc (shuswap), Wet’suwet’en (carrier), sylix (okanagan) ktunaxa (ketenai)
resources: hunt, fish, gather plants
ways of life: communal - decisions made by chiefs
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Plains
climate: ?
3 indigenous groups: siksika (blackfoot) Nakota (Assiniboine) plains cree
resources: millions of buffalo
ways of life: independent groups advised, not ruled, by chiefs - cheifs decision required approval from elders, traveled with dogs
climate, 3 indigenous groups, resources, ways of life pre-colonization of Woodlands
climate: filled with forests, great lakes/maritime (located)
3 indigenous groups: tionontati (petun) Ouendat (huran) Saulteaux (ojibwa) Anishinabek (algonquin), Mi’kmaw (micmac)
resources: hunting fishing farming - crops
ways of life: democratic body (6 nations or haudenosaunee)
all chiefs equally ranked - equally represented from all nations.
explain why trade between Indigenous groups was important (pre-colonization)
trade was a social and spiritual endeavor developing marial connection and alliances, relationship building
development of tech (clothing, footwear)
knowledge sharing
difference between indigenous and European commerce
indigenous: relational ties and tech advancements
european: resource extraction, wealth, hoarding, capitalism
4 major alliances between Indigenous groups from 700 CE onwards
- confederacies around the great lakes (haudenosaunee)
- Wabanaki confederacy and beothuk of newfoundland
- cree and iron confederacy
- pacific northwest (trans cordilleran)
Haudenosaunee confederacy (who, what, where, when (approximately), why)
who: Oondaga, Onyota’a:ka (oneida) Kanien’keha:ka (mohawk) Gayogoho:no (cayuka) seneca
what: oldest participatory democracy on earth, nations have own councils- chiefs chosen by clan mothers
where: basin of great lakes, east of huron to gulf of saint lawrence
when: 800-1142 ish beginnings
why: use to reduce threat of war
wendat confederacy (who, what, where, when (approximately), why)
who: attignawantans, attigeenongnahacs, arendarhonons, tahontaenrats ataronchronons
what promote mutual defense trade among member nations
where: lake ontario, east coast of lake huron (present day ontario)
when: late 16th early 17th century
why: formed out of necessity for cooperation and protection against external threats
- sedentary life with agriculture
- used longhouses for families
- allied against haudenosaunee who were at war
Wabanaki Confederacy (who, what, where, when (approximately), why)
who: 5 Angloquian- abenaki, penobscot, passamaquoddy, mi’kmaq, wolastoqiyik (makiseet)
what: maintained abundance resources from sea fishing, forging, agriculture
where: state of main through maritimes
When: 1600s
why: ensured large trading network and alliances
Iron confederacy (iron alliance) (who, what, where, when (approximately), why)
who: Nehiyaw (plains cree), nakota oyadebi (assiniboine), anishinaabe and metis
what: largest associated with any one indigenous peoples
where: rockies, lowlands around hudsons bay
when: late 1700s
why: resist american encroachment, political and military alliance
Trans-Cordilleran West (who, what, where, when (approximately), why)
who: 30 indigenous cultures
what: diverse ecosystem, mountainous, ideal living conditions
where: mountainous range at western edge of prairies (pacific cordillera)) (boundaries always shifted from conflict)
when: 1000s (smallpox late 1700s)
why: abundant natural resources, crucial for trade, agriculture
7 sacred laws + animal given to them
buffalo = respect
eagle = love
bear = courage
big foot = honesty
beaver = wisdom
wolf = humanity
turtle = truth
which indigenous group attributed to seven sacred laws
anishinaabe (ojiwe or cheppewa)
timeline of confederacies:
haudenosaunee: 1450s (active)
wendat: pre-1600s (decimated)
wabanaki: 1600s (active)
iron: late 1700s (no longer - though some tribes)
trans cordilleran: 1000s (tribes exist - not the same)