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Unit 1
THE FIRST OCCUPANTS , p.37
Designated focus
• THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE
FIRST OCCUPANT’S CONCEPTION OF
THE WORLD AND THEIR SOCIAL
ORGANIZATION
• Central concept: Conception of the world
• Common concepts: Circle of life
Environment
Elders
Spirituality
Oral tradition
*Culture
What does it mean …’conception of
the world’ ?
• It constitutes an agreed set of
principles that brings stability in
a society. The acceptance of
the same conception of the
world becomes effective only if
based on harmonized efforts on
the part of the elements of the
society.
The case of …
Nature was a bountiful giver
FORESTS
birch, maple, oak, pine, spruce, fir trees
bear, moose, passenger pigeon extinct
RIVERS AND LAKES
beaver, muskrat, raccoon, otter, salmon, eels, geese and ducks
SEA
Shallow water: shellfish (mussels, clams, whelks, periwinkels, squid, rabs,lobsters)
fish (flounder, smelt, shad, skate, salmon, eels)
Deep water: porpoise, sturgeon, swordfish, smaller whales
NATURAL MEADOWS ground nuts, cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry
Jacques Cartier’s evaluation of the
St. Lawrence River ±1535
The land is everywhere covered with timber of several sorts and also
with vines… There are a large number of big stags, does, bears, and
other animals. There are many otters, beavers, martens, foxes,
wild-cats, hares, rabbits, and squirrels. There are a great number of
birds: cranes, bustards, swans, wild geese, ducks, drakes,
blackbirds, thrushes, turtle-doves, wood pigeons, and other birds
the same as in France. The St. Lawrence River is the richest in every
kind of fish… In the summer great numbers of mackerel, mullets,
maigres, tunnies, eels, and other fish abound. In the autumn there
are good smelts. In the spring there are quantities of lampreys, and
salmon. Above Stadacona are many pike, trout, carp, and other
fresh water fish.
This bounty from nature led the Aboriginals to…
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develop a close relationship with nature
easily learn about animals and plants
have profound respect for life itself
believe that there is a superior natural power that organizes
and animates the material world.
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They were animistic (attributed a living soul to animals,
plants and sometimes to inanimate objects)
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They avoided wasting natural resources and developed a
barter economy.
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They perceived themselves as one of many kinds of persons
who lived in harmony in the same environment. Therefore,
they viewed themselves as part of the ecological fabric, not its
tailors.
CIRCLE OF LIFE
• For many Aboriginal peoples, the
circle is a powerful symbol of
connectivity and completeness. The
circle is the earth, the sky, the sun,
the moon, the tipi, the seasons, the
cycle of life.
• For example, ‘talking circle’ has long
been a place where everyone is
equal, where all can have a say. It
can also be used for emotional
healing purposes.
College of Nursing, Aboriginal Health, University of Saskatchewan
Animism had a direct implication on…
• their whole culture which
revolved around their
profound belief in animal
persons, plant persons and
Mother Earth belonging to
every one.
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hunting habits
rituals
spirituality
medicine
oral tradition
transport
dwellings
clothing
eating habits
Spirituality
• Friends could be human or non-
human. The latter were known as
‘spirit –helpers’.
• This man’s spirit-helper is a bear.
The bond between a person and
his spirit-helper was very strong.
It was said that powerful people
could even take the shape of a
spirit-helper.
The Micmac, How Their Ancestors Lived Five
Hundred Years Ago, (1998) R. Holmes, H.
McGee.
Medicine
• From childhood people heard
the stories of how various
plant medicines came to be
known. A stranger came to a
settlement where there was
some disease. He would reveal
that he was really a plant
person disguised as a human.
He then would change form
and show people how the
plant looked at each season.
They had special remedies for certain
ailments
Rheumatism – Paste of blueberry leaves
Fever – alder bark tea
Mild burns – ointment of pine resin
Cuts – Juniper resin
Diarrhea – Boiled strawberry roots and
leaves
To have or not to have the right to a territory …