James Cook & First Contact

Question 1

First Contact

Answer 1

• Was a global phenomenon in BC
• Happens differently in different places and at different times
• Is never really over

Question 2

Common elements of early contact

Answer 2

• Misunderstandings on both sides
• Indigenous people interpreted and interacted with the British on Indigenous terms – and mostly controlled the situation

Question 3

Captain James Cook: who is he? why does he matter?

Answer 3

• went on 3 voyages throughout 1700s
• Claimed places he visited by naming them (ex. Point Venus in Tahiti)
• received varying reactions from indigenous people (some hospitable, some hostile, some indifferent, awestruck, etc.)
• Killed by indigenous people in Hawaii, likely due to a misunderstanding that led to hostility (they believed he represented God of war)
• His stories of first contact in BC and elsewhere play a role in a larger global story of first contact

Question 4

Nootka Sound: what is it, why does it matter?

Answer 4

• AKA: “Friendly Cove”; inlet of BC coast
• James Cook/British people arrived there and First Nations people were initially hostile and told them to leave
• British misunderstood and stayed, and FN people then became hospitable
• Led to lots of trading between British and FN
• FN still felt sense of ownership over their territory; felt superior to British people (shows they still held power and could control situation)

Question 5

Results of European First Contact

Answer 5

• they brought diseases that killed many FN people, who hadn’t built up immunity to them -> this helped Europeans displace indigenous inhabitants
• Fur trade became increasingly popular -> some FN people (ex. Mikmaq) eager to trade to extend their own geographical range