Download Unit 2: Development

An Economy =
Environment + Resources +
Technology + Labour + the
Need to Provide Livelihood
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Aboriginal peoples’ world view shaped and
directed the way they interacted with one
another and with the natural environment
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Ecological conditions dictated that Aboriginal
peoples in different regions:
1. Pursued different economic activities
2. Had access to different resources
3. Determined the types of tools and technologies
they created
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Their way of life was suited to their unique environments as
Aboriginal peoples adapted to changes that occurred over time
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Divided by geography, language, and culture, First Nations
developed diverse practices that allowed them to survive and
prosper on harsh lands
At the time of First Contact Aboriginal Peoples:
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Had an advanced knowledge of plant science that would later
transform world’s approach to agriculture and medicine
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Sixty percent of the world’s crops origins are traced to pre-contact
Aboriginal farmers
Examples: Potatoes, Corn, Peppers, Squash, and Tomatoes
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Techniques increased the global supply of nutritional foods
allowing the world’s population to increase dramatically
At the time of First Contact Aboriginal Peoples:
Developed
sophisticated stone tool technologies
and methods of transportation suited to their
environments
These
various technologies reflected the social,
economic, and cultural diversity of Aboriginal
societies
What impact would geography have on
the First Peoples in Canada?
Landscape and climate determined:
Traditional territories
Hunting, Fishing, and/or farming
practices
Transportation options
Technological innovations
Size of population
Aboriginal innovations in agriculture:
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Provided Europeans with new crops through trade
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Developed sustainable farming practices
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Demonstrated advanced food processing technology
ABORIGINAL TECHNIQUES
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Aboriginal peoples
concentrated on plant science
Hundreds of varieties of corn
developed
Developed grinding and
preservation techniques while
maintaining nutritional value
Gathered wild food such as
rice and berries
Sustainability and biodiversity
provided long term economic
benefits
EUROPEAN TECHNIQUES
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European agriculture was
based largely on animal
farming
Europeans had a different
attitude toward land use
Individualistic practice
aimed to control nature
through monoculture
Not as concerned with
sustainability and
biodiversity

In addition to traditional farming,
Aboriginal peoples gathered
edible wild forest products such
as nuts, berries, tree sap, and
wild vegetables

Eaten fresh or sun dried and
stored in watertight containers
for use in winter months
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Gathered plants such as
sweetgrass for spiritual and
ceremonial purposes
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Although viewed inferior, Aboriginal
medicine was much further advanced
than its European counterpart
Europeans had a limited knowledge
of plant science
Aboriginal medicines would become
the basis for modern western
pharmacology
Aboriginal cure for scurvy not only
saved Jacques Cartier’s men from
death but also led to the discovery of
vitamins
Salicin found in tree bark was used to
cure aches and pains and is still the
active ingredient found in aspirin

Variety of resources found in North America’s
eco-systems provided opportunity for
Aboriginals to become great traders

Motivation for trade was the need for goods
from other regions
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Trade led to establishing friendships and
creating alliances
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Archaeological evidence shows well
established long distance trading networks
were developed
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Artifacts uncovered in the St. Lawrence Lowlands
suggest very established trade routes:
Arrowheads found were made from materials found
in Labrador
Copper tools were from north of Lake Superior
Conch shells discovered were from the Gulf of
Mexico
Mineral Obsidian used to create tools and weapons
was also traded
Wampum shells used to make wampum belts was
traded
Wampum was an important component of the fur
trade
Perishable food items and wooden objects assumed
to be traded but evidence has long since decayed
Europeans changed the outlook as they did not
trade based upon need, but did so to amass wealth
Transportation technologies were well adapted to the Canadian climate and
physical geography
The
canoe has been called “the masterpiece of Amerindian inventiveness”
Canoes and kayaks opened up the fur trade to European economies
The Thule built Umiak – flat bottomed boats that carried up to 20 people –
used for whale hunting in the north
Plains people followed buffalo herds developed the Travois
Winter climate led to the development of dogsleds, snowshoes, skates, and
sun goggles
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Travois were pulled by dogs or
wolves and later by horses after
they were brought to the Americas
by the Spanish in the 1500s
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Horses were on the plains circa
1700s and drastically changed the
buffalo hunt
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Hunted Buffalo usually mostly
spoiled before the meat could be
preserved – horse drawn Travois
sped up the process
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Buffalo pounds corralled herd to
waiting hunters
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Buffalo jumps were steep cliffs
over which herds were driven
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Oral histories of Aboriginal people reveal a
world view, or spiritual philosophy, that
reflects a close relationship between their
economies and the natural world
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People were equal with nature, not superior
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Most Aboriginal societies practiced a lifestyle
of sustainable development – only using what
was needed to survive
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Wealth was measured in non-material values such
as spiritual powers and good relationships
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Material goods were associated with prestige when
shared in ceremonies and rituals rather than as a
marker of individual wealth
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Potlatch- Pacifica Coast- celebratory feast
demonstrating property was shared by community
By the time of first contact, Aboriginal Peoples
had sophisticated economic systems tied to
their ecosystems
 Societies based upon interrelationships based
upon available resources
 For centuries they had acted on their world
views- land was shared and used collectively
and responsibly
 Europeans had vastly different practices and
first contact forever changed economic
structures in the Americas
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