OC1: Meet Three of Canada's First Nations Flashcards
Wild rice was important to what First Nations tribe?
Anishinaabe = Ojibwe
The Ojibwe tribe is known for its historical reliance on wild rice as a staple food source.
What were the Three Sisters?
Corn, beans, and squash
These crops are traditionally grown together by various Indigenous peoples in North America.
What tribe considered ‘the Three Sisters’ a staple crop?
Haudenosaunee = Iroquois
The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois, relied heavily on these crops for sustenance.
What is a Wampum belt?
A traditional belt made of beads used for storytelling and treaties
Wampum belts hold significant cultural and historical importance among First Nations.
What is an artifact?
An object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest
Artifacts can provide insight into the lives and practices of past cultures.
What is an alliance?
A formal agreement between groups or nations
Alliances can be formed for mutual benefit, cooperation, or defense.
What European culture had an alliance with the Haudenosaunee?
The Dutch, and then the English
The Dutch formed a trading and military alliance with the Haudenosaunee in the 17th century.
What is consensus?
General agreement among a group
Consensus decision-making is a key characteristic of many First Nations governance systems.
What characteristics did First Nations tribes value when choosing a leader?
Wisdom, bravery, and integrity
Leaders were often chosen based on their ability to guide and represent their community effectively.
What were the three names of the tribes mentioned in Chapter 1 of ‘Our Canada’?
Mi’kmaq, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe
These tribes are significant in the context of Canadian history and culture.
What similarities did the three tribes in Chapter 1 of ‘Our Canada’ have in decision making?
Consensus-based decision making
All three tribes emphasized the importance of group agreement in their decision-making processes.
List three examples of how First Nations tribes pass down their traditions from one generation to the next.
- Oral storytelling
- Ceremonies
- Art and crafts
These methods are essential for preserving culture and history within First Nations communities.
Who is Shawnadithit and how did she die?
A Beothuk (First Peoples of what is now Newfoundland) woman who died from tuberculosis
She was captured by English furriers in 1823 at Badger Bay and later worked as a housekeeper for John Peyton Jr.
She was an important record keeper of Beothuk history and culture and this is how we know about some history of the Beothuk people.
Shawnadithit is known as the last known member of the Beothuk people, and her death symbolizes the impact of colonization.
Define imperialism
A policy or ideology whereby a country extends its power and influence over other nations or territories
Imperialism often involves colonization, economic domination, or cultural influence.
Define universal
Applicable to all cases or situations; something that is worldwide or common to all
Universal concepts can pertain to rights, values, or truths that transcend individual cultures.
Define immunity
The state of being resistant to a particular disease or condition; the ability of an organism to resist infection or disease
Immunity can be innate (natural) or acquired through vaccination or previous infections.
What is nomadic?
Characterized by movement from one place to another rather than settling permanently in one location
Nomadic lifestyles are often associated with hunting, gathering, or pastoralism.
What First Nations tribe was nomadic?
The Miˋkmaq were seasonally nomadic going closer and farther from water to hunt animals depending on how cold it was. In the forest over winter, and by the water in the summer for example.
*Haudenosaunee moved only when the land became infertile. A story in the text shows that it takes a lot of decision-making before that move would happen.
The Plains Cree or the Innu are known to be nomadic as well but are not mentioned in chapter 1 due to their geography placing them farther away from European contact.
Various tribes across North America exhibited nomadic traits, often following seasonal migrations of animals.
In Chapter 1 of Our Canada, what tribe primarily fished off the Atlantic Coast?
The Mi’kmaq tribe
They also took to the forest in the winter and hunted moose.
The Mi’kmaq have a rich history of fishing and maritime culture along the Atlantic coast.
List three things that society today still uses from First Nations culture
- Snowshoes
- Canoes
- Art and craftsmanship
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Language and place names
What First Nations tribe was nomadic?
The Plains Cree or the Innu are most known for being nomadic.
However, out of the First Peoples mentioned in the text, the Miˋkmaq traditionally lived close to the coast in the summer and away from the coast, in the forest, in the winter. This seasonal movement allowed them to make the best use of the resources of their land.
Various tribes across North America exhibited nomadic traits, often following seasonal migrations of animals.
Who were among the first to experience contact with Europeans?
Mi’kmaq, Haudenosaunee, Anishinabe
Fill in the blank: Geography determined that peoples in _______ North America experienced contact with Europeans before peoples in other parts of the continent.
eastern
True or False: The chapter discusses the social and economic characteristics of First Nation societies.
True
What is the meaning of the term ‘Mikmaq’?
‘my brothers’
The name Mikmaq comes from the word nikmaq, which means ‘my brothers.’
How did Europeans come to refer to the Mi’kmaq?
They heard it as ‘mic-mac’
Europeans began to use the word Mikmaq to refer to the people but misheard it as ‘mic-mac.’
What change did the Mi’kmaq make to the spelling of their name in the 1980s?
To reflect its true sound in their language
The Mi’kmaq changed the spelling of the word to better represent its pronunciation.
What is an alternate name for the Anishinabe?
Ojibway or Ojibwa
The Anishinabe is also known as Ojibway, Ojibwa, Ojibwve, Ojibweg, among other variations.
What does the word ‘Ojibway’ mean in Algonkian?
‘to pucker’
The name Ojibway may refer to the puckered seams on Anishinabe moccasins.
What is the preferred name the Anishinabe use for themselves?
Anishinabe
Anishinabe means ‘the original people.’
What does the term ‘Haudenosaunee’ mean?
‘people of the longhouse’
Haudenosaunee comes from the name of the people’s traditional dwelling.
What are some alternate names for the Haudenosaunee?
- Iroquois
- Six Nations Confederacy
- Iroquois Confederacy
These names are often used interchangeably with Haudenosaunee.
What do the Haudenosaunee not call themselves?
Iroquois
Iroquois represents a French version of a name learned from the Huron, an enemy nation.
What is a hunting ground?
A region for hunting.
The Mi’kmaq used the land differently from season to season.
Who is Saqamaw?
A leader in Mi’kmaq society.
Refer to the backgrounder on page 14 for more details.
What is the council of Elders?
A group of respected individuals that advise Mi’kmaq leaders.
For more information, see the backgrounder on page 14.
What does the council of Elders do?
Advises Mi’kmaq leaders.
This council consists of respected individuals within the community.
What is the significance of the Mi’kmaq Nation?
It encompasses various districts of the Mi’kmaq people.
More information can be found in the backgrounder on page 14.
What is the significance of respect for everyone’s contribution in traditional values?
It highlights the importance of each individual’s role in the community and fosters a sense of equality.
How do men and women contribute differently in Misel’s society?
Men might hunt while women tend crops.
What was essential for communities to meet their needs in traditional societies?
Working together and mutual support.
Why was sharing valued in traditional First Nations?
Because life could be hard, and mutual support was essential.
Fill in the blank: In traditional societies, people’s interests meshed with the interests of the _______.
[group as a whole]
True or False: All roles in traditional First Nations were considered important.
True
What does living close to the land imply about the community’s work ethic?
It implies a collaborative effort to sustain the community.
What fosters a sense of equality within traditional First Nations?
Valuing sharing and mutual support.
What was the primary organization of Mi’kmaq government?
The Mi’kmaq government was organized around seven districts.
Each district had local leaders known as Sagamaws, advised by councils of Elders.
How were Sagamaws chosen in the Mi’kmaq government?
Sagamaws were chosen and advised by councils of Elders.
This ensures that local leaders were guided by the wisdom of experienced community members.
What was the purpose of the district councils in the Mi’kmaq government?
District councils chose a Sagamaw to represent them on the Grand Council.
This representation was crucial for maintaining communication and governance among the districts.
How often did the Grand Council of the Mi’kmaq meet?
The Grand Council usually met once a year.
This annual meeting allowed for coordination among the seven districts.
What were the responsibilities of the Grand Council?
The Grand Council advised Mi’kmaq communities on hunting, fishing, and camp setup, and managed relations with other First Nations.
This role was essential for resource management and inter-tribal diplomacy.
Describe the seasonal movement of the Mi’kmaq.
The Mi’kmaq lived close to the coast in summer and in the forest in winter.
This movement was strategic to utilize the natural resources available in different seasons.
What types of resources did the Mi’kmaq hunt in summer?
In summer, they fished and hunted sea mammals, such as whales.
This reflects their adaptation to coastal resources.
What types of animals did the Mi’kmaq hunt in winter?
In winter, they hunted animals of the forest, such as moose.
This demonstrates their seasonal adaptation to different environments.
