Module 1 - Belanger Ch 2 Flashcards
What is one of the first lessons a child receives according to Chief John Snow?
The importance of respecting all things in creation
Chief John Snow emphasizes the role of the Great Spirit in Indigenous teachings.
What term has been used historically to describe Indigenous peoples in North America?
Indian
The term ‘Indian’ has since been replaced by ‘Aboriginal,’ ‘First Nation,’ or ‘Indigenous.’
What does Thomas King suggest about the term ‘Indian’?
There has never been a good collective noun because there never was a collective to begin with
This highlights the socio-political complexity of Indigenous societies.
What governance model did the Iroquois Confederacy utilize?
A bicameral council
Women played influential political roles within this governance structure.
How did smaller Prairie communities typically organize their leadership?
Embraced hereditary leadership models
This was influenced by their reliance on buffalo as a primary economic resource.
What is political economy?
The study of how societies balance politics, law, and economics
It uncovers the interplay among these elements and who benefits from them.
What does political economy from an Indigenous perspective study?
The environment’s influence on Indigenous political institutions and economic ideologies
It considers ecological forces and the dynamics associated with Creation.
What does the chapter aim to provide context for?
Understanding the ruptures to Indigenous societies caused by colonialism
It also sets the stage for evaluating post-contact Indigenous development.
What is a central theme in Vine Deloria, Jr.’s perspective on authority?
The need to become the sole source of truth for society
This includes defending their status against rival interpretations.
What portrayal of Indigenous peoples is critiqued in the text?
That they were barbarous, savage, and unable to socially evolve
This reflects a broader colonial agenda aimed at justifying the removal of Indigenous peoples.
What barriers exist to understanding Indigenous cultures?
Eurocentric and ethnocentric ideas
These ideas create misunderstandings and hinder the formation of positive partnerships.
How have Indigenous peoples been classified in relation to Western standards?
According to scales measuring societal advances influenced by the Industrial Revolution
This frames Indigenous cultures as inferior.
What does the ecological context refer to in Indigenous knowledge?
The relationship between ecological order and Indigenous political and economic traditions
It emphasizes observation and interaction with nature.
What is the significance of Indigenous languages?
They reflect ecological context and contain cultural stories dating back to Creation
Approximately 213,500 people report an Indigenous mother tongue today.
What happens to individuals who lose their language due to dislocation?
They may feel disconnected from Creation
This disconnection can occur even if they reside on their traditional territory.
What is a key aspect of Indigenous political and economic processes?
They are shaped by the environment
This influences how resources are harvested and how political processes are formulated.
What does Vine Deloria state about revelation?
It occurs at a particular place, not as a universal truth
Certain places have a qualitative holiness over others.
What does Vine Deloria suggest about the importance of land to North American Indigenous peoples?
Land is a source of revelation and qualitative holiness that shapes community identity.
Deloria emphasizes that revelation occurs at specific places, making them significant for the community’s experience.
What are the six main geographic zones of Canada as mentioned in the text?
- Arctic
- Subarctic
- Northeast
- Plains
- Plateau
- Northwest Coast
These zones support the idea that diverse Indigenous cultures developed in relation to their specific ecological contexts.
How do geographic contexts influence Indigenous political and economic ideologies?
Indigenous groups in similar environments may develop different political and economic ideologies due to varying topographies and ecological contexts.
For example, Cree in the prairies and northern Quebec may differ significantly despite being in similar ecological zones.
What misconception about Indigenous peoples does the text address?
The misconception that Indigenous peoples were aimless wanderers with little or no specialized governance structures.
This idea has been propagated by some political scientists and authors who claim Indigenous societies lacked complexity.
According to the text, what do most North American Indigenous political traditions emphasize?
An absence of power relations and the importance of maintaining relationships among all living beings.
This contrasts with hierarchical and coercive systems often found in European governance.
What is the significance of kinship in Indigenous political philosophies?
Kinship emphasizes mutual responsibility for all of Creation rather than strict geographic boundaries.
This leads to reciprocal relationships among all entities within a given territory.
What role does consensus play in Indigenous governance?
Consensus is achieved through calm political dialogues and community participation, without binding decisions.
Individuals could leave the community if they disagreed with decisions, promoting autonomy.
True or False: Indigenous leaders had centralized authority and could compel others to follow their decisions.
False
Leaders were expected to guide by example and could not impose their will on the community.
What is the relationship between personal economic independence and political power in Indigenous societies?
Personal economic independence ensures that political leaders cannot deprive families of their economic well-being, preventing shifts in political balance.
This reflects a system where self-interest and community good are intertwined.
Fill in the blank: Most Indigenous peoples viewed _______ as futile and dangerous madness.
[materialism]
This perspective is in contrast to capitalist ideals of individual wealth accumulation.
What was the role of trade in Indigenous societies?
Trade fulfilled material needs, maintained political alliances, and was a systematic process, not just a result of surplus.
Trade networks extended across North America, linking various communities.
What was the purpose of the potlatch ceremony among some Indigenous groups?
To give away accumulated goods, reinforcing social status and community ties.
Accumulation of wealth was often seen as temporary and linked to social obligations.
In what way did the Saulteaux economy reflect environmental stewardship?
The Saulteaux practiced sustainable resource use, ensuring that natural resources remained accessible and were not over-exploited.
They adhered to principles that fostered ecological balance.
What challenges do contemporary Indigenous leaders face regarding governance models?
The imposition of the band-council model contradicts historic governance processes and encourages political ambition and economic greed.
This model has coincided with socio-economic depression in Indigenous communities.
What is a key characteristic of leadership in Indigenous communities?
Leaders are coordinators and role models rather than authoritative figures.
They lead by example and maintain harmony within the community.
How did political structures vary among Indigenous nations?
Some nations had hierarchical models with ranked families, while others operated on egalitarian principles.
Governance systems could be complex, reflecting the diversity of Indigenous cultures.
What was the significance of public opinion in Indigenous governance?
Public opinion and ridicule were used to maintain self-discipline and encourage adherence to community norms.
This helped prevent the concentration of power in any one individual.
What were the main trade items exchanged for oolichan oil?
Shells, paint, and religious and secular artifacts
Oolichan oil was a significant trade item due to its high nutritional value and uses.
What is the Tsimshian term for oolichan?
hali’mootk
It translates to ‘saviour fish’.
How many blankets could one box of oolichan grease garner?
Four blankets
This illustrates the high value of oolichan oil in trade.
What were ‘grease trails’?
Trade highways used for transporting oolichan grease
These routes facilitated trade and contact among Indigenous communities.
Which regions are covered in the overview of Canada’s geographic regions?
Arctic, Subarctic, Northeast, and Plains
Each region has distinct political and economic models.
What was the primary economic activity in the Arctic during winter?
Breathing-hole sealing
This was due to the absence of large sea mammals.
What types of animals were hunted by the Inuit in the Arctic?
Caribou, fish, sea mammals
Seasonal hunting strategies were employed based on ecological conditions.
What resource management practices were common among the Inuit?
Harvesting only needed plants and avoiding waste
Protocols ensured sustainability of resources.
Who typically headed family groups among the Inuit?
Men of influence
Women also held significant political and ceremonial roles.
What were the main resources for the Dene in the Subarctic?
Caribou and moose
These resources provided meat, hides, and tools.
What is a significant feature of the political structure in the Subarctic?
Diversity of nations and governance structures
The region’s vastness contributes to its political complexity.
What were the primary economic activities in the Northeast?
Hunting, fishing, and some farming
The economy was diverse due to abundant resources.
What role did children play in Northeast Indigenous communities?
Participated in economic activities to learn skills
This included interaction with experienced community members.
What was the primary political structure in the Plains?
Small, politically autonomous communities
These communities were guided by key leaders without a central authority.
What was a common political practice among Plains nations?
Forming informal councils of leaders
Leaders were chosen based on merit and generosity.
What was the significance of buffalo to Plains Indigenous nations?
Provided food, clothing, housing, tools
Buffalo were central to their economy and way of life.
Fill in the blank: The Ojibwa divided their time between the Plains and the _______.
eastern parklands
This reflects their mobility and adaptation to different environments.
True or False: War was a common occurrence among Northeast Indigenous nations.
False
Regular warfare was not common, although skirmishes occurred.
What type of environment characterized the Arctic region?
Rolling hills, tundra, coastal plains, arctic seas
These geographical features influenced the economy and lifestyle of Indigenous peoples.
What was a key resource management strategy in the Subarctic?
Seasonal rounds for resource gathering
This practice ensured sustainable use of the environment.
What were the main economic activities of the Beothuk?
Hunting, fishing, and gathering
Birch was vital for various constructions.
What was the political focus of village leaders in the Northeast?
Local populations and internal affairs
Leaders emphasized political autonomy.
What characterized the Cree bands in terms of mobility and leadership?
Cree bands were highly mobile, with fluid membership, and leadership was based on war record, generosity, wealth, and hunting ability.
Community leaders were not political leaders but respected men, and bands could have multiple leaders.
What was the significance of horses for the Blackfoot Confederacy?
Horses allowed the Blackfoot to develop efficient hunting techniques and expand territorial claims.
Before horses, Blackfoot traversed their territory on foot.
What was the main political structure of the Blackfoot culture?
The political culture centered on the band, with recognized leaders maintaining political, economic, and social stability.
Leading men and women held regular meetings to maintain open dialogue.
What types of climates are found in the Plateau region?
The Plateau region features severe winters and extremely hot summers, with varying topography and geology across ten distinct sub-regions.
Some areas have fertile soils, while others are desert.
What were the key components of the Plateau’s economy?
The economy was mixed, involving fishing, harvesting roots and berries, and hunting game animals, with resource-management schemes in place.
Salmon fisheries management allowed some fish to escape upstream before harvesting.
What political values were emphasized in the Plateau region?
The political culture emphasized pacifism, egalitarianism, and communal ownership of land.
Authority was exercised through labor and power divisions, not coercive measures.
What was the role of chiefs in the Plateau region?
Chiefs were inherited positions whose influence depended on community support, with women of leading families also holding high rank.
Leadership qualities included honesty, sound judgment, and arbitration skills.
What characterized the governance of the Northwest Coast Indigenous groups?
Governance focused on related families using a common territory, with chieftainships appointed by councils of elders.
Chiefs were expected to ensure community well-being and formal recognition of rank.
What was the significance of the Peacemaker in Iroquois history?
The Peacemaker formed the Iroquois League to end wars among the five nations and establish peace through the Great Law.
The Great Law guided political and social interactions among the nations.
What was the Grand Council in the Iroquois political structure?
The Grand Council was a 50-seat governing body selected by clan mothers, empowered to resolve disputes and treat with foreign nations.
The council’s decisions required consensus and included checks on chief authority.
How did land ownership work within the Iroquois Confederacy?
Land was considered communal property managed by women, who allocated it to clans and families, redistributing it annually or upon request.
Women also took responsibility for farming essential crops known as the Three Sisters.
What was the primary economic activity among the Iroquois?
Men focused on hunting, trading, and warfare, while women managed agriculture and household responsibilities.
The economy operated effectively through cooperation among community members.
What was the primary method of exchange within the Iroquois Confederacy?
Gift giving based on reciprocity was the main mechanism of exchange, rather than trade.
Clans established trade monopolies with external partners.
Fill in the blank: For the Indians, land is not ______, but it can be shared.
purchasable
What is the relationship between land and Indigenous political and economic development?
Land is central, viewed as a giver of life and a foundation for governance and economic strategies.
Indigenous peoples developed economies rooted in agriculture, animal migration patterns, and trade.
