Chapter 1 – Meet Three of Canada’s First Nations

Canada: Your perspective 1. What makes Canada unique? 2. Create a list of the top ten things that make Canada special to you. 3. Create a list of the top ten things that you would like to see changed in Canada.

Canada: The Native People the Mi’kmaq, the Anishinabe, and the Haudenosaunee. Three major groups of natives inhabited Eastern Canada at the time of European contact with North America: the Mi’kmaq, the Anishinabe, and the Haudenosaunee. Approx. 200, 000 natives in Canada at that time, with each group having lifestyles suited to their environment. Each group was unique: different types of life; how they chose their leaders; the rules they made and enforced; and how each group coped with change after European contact.

Society Identify examples of how the society used the land Identify examples of technologies that the society used Identify examples of how the society made decisions Identify examples of the role of women in decision making Identify examples of the role of men in decision makingMi’kmaq -farmed fresh water fish in man-made pools Hunting -Weaving mattresses from branches -SEASONAL CAMPS: changed locations with seasons -Snowshoes -Taba’gan -Canoes -7 districts -SAQAMAW : chosen by the Council of Elders -Grand Council with 7 Saqamaws -had NO say in decision makings -Could sit in on meetings & listen -Cooking -Weaving -Could participate in meeting if “man”

Society Identify examples of how the society used the land Identify examples of technologies that the society used Identify examples of how the society made decisions Identify examples of the role of women in decision making Identify examples of the role of men in decision makingAnishinabe (North of the Great Lakes) -Hunted deer -Fished/Harpo oned sturgeon -Gathered berries, plants, wild rice -Made maple syrup -SUMMER & WINTER CAMPS (near water in Summer, inland during Winter) -Arrows -Canoes -Harpoons -Syrup skimmers -Wampum belts -Animal hides -Knockers & Polers -Dome shaped structures -Fishing nets - DODEMS: different clans with different responsibilities - Each dodem had a OGIMUAH -Ogimuah was chosen by consensus - Medewin Society: secret society with spiritual leaders - gathered food - hunted & fished - only men could become Ogimuah -MEN & WOMEN COULD SIT IN ON MEETINGS & PARTICIPATE IN DECISION MAKING -Men & women could be a part of the Medewin society

Society Identify examples of how the society used the land Identify examples of technologies that the society used Identify examples of how the society made decisions Identify examples of the role of women in decision making Identify examples of the role of men in decision makingHaudenosaunee (South of the St Lawrence River) - farmed the 3 sisters (corn, beans, squash) - Gathered roots & berries - PERMANENT SETTLEMENT - hunt - collected maple sap - fish heads to fertilize soil - LONGHOUSES - mocassins - wampum belts - corn baskets - weapons - mattresses - syrup skimmers - HOYANEH : chosen by the CLAN MOTHERS - Grand Council made up of 50 members who made decisions for the Confederacy - Great Law of Peace - Alliances - teach sowing - plant & tended crops - clan mothers: chose & could remove leaders - hunt - making tools - find new lands when necessary - hoyaneh MEN & WOMEN COULD SIT IN ON MEETINGS & PARTICIPATE IN DECISION MAKING

What were alliances? Agreements made amongst people to support one another and to work together. The First Nations made alliances to : Secure trade agreements Defence To make peace To pool their resources

Characteristics of Leaders Must be a good listener. Leaders had to gather input from several sources before they made their final decisions. Decisions affect people in different ways so it was very important for them to consider all points of view. Must have an open mind and an open heart. Leaders must not let their own personal beliefs be the main contributing factor when making a decision. Must be respectful of everyone and everything. Leaders must lead by example. Must be trustworthy. When people trust you, they will follow you. Must consider what is best for everyone. They think about the group as whole, not just certain individuals. Must be knowledgeable and wise.

- Hunted/gathered resources from land - Consensus: decisions made through discussion - Leaders were men - Used technology to make life easier - Men hunted, fished - Women gathered, cooked - No accumulation of wealth - Leaders had authority by agreement, not force - Leaders chosen, not elected - Made alliances - Spiritual = belief in Creator

Mi’Kmaq - Changed locations with seasons - Leader (Saqamaw) chosen by Council of Elders - Women could listen, but not participate in meetings Anishinabe - Harvested wild rice - Had summer & winter camps - Had dodems with different responsibilities - Medewin society made up of men & women - Leader ( Ogimuah) chosen by consensus of dodems - Women could participate in decision making Haudenosaunee - Permanent settlements - Farmed crops - Leader ( Hayoneh) chosen by clan mothers - Women could participate in decision making