Canadian Shield Culture

Cultural Approach

Adapting to the diverse climates of the Canadian Shield required different types of lifeways. Some Algonquian bands lived in semi-sedentary villages, while others lived a nomadic existence following the caribou or bison herds. All of these bands lived as a community of consent with no central political hierarchy. Mutual co-operation was expected between neighbouring bands. Seasonal groups consisted of twenty to thirty people (four to eight closely related families) and these groups organised together when a specific task had to be carried out. A trapping party might consist of four to eight families with a leader and a support leader. A fish camp consisted of ten to thirty families. Winter hunting bands were comprised of twenty-five people related by familial ties or marriage. A meat or winter camp consisted of ten to thirty families. When boreal forest groups gathered for summer camp, a respected man was appointed leader. This situational leader was expected to meet the following criteria: a married elder, a good hunter, generous, an excellent orator, and conciliator. Decisions made by the leader are made by consent of those affected. Within a single band, a senior elder directed the group in consultation with a council. His death would often dissolve the band.

Raids against other communities were usually carried out over territorial hunting conflicts. Neighbouring bands were invited to join a war party with a gift of pipe and tobacco. The ambush, guerrilla warfare style of fighting took advantage of forest cover. Prized war booty usually consisted of weapons, boats, clothing, and hides. A warrior who brought home these stolen goods acquired wealth and status. Canadian Shield groups also fought each other for goods and women, and revenge issues were also the motivation for battle. The Chipewyan peoples considered the Inuit their enemy and conflicts were often based on long-standing feuds.

Canadian Shield First Nations helped each other in the completion of work. Groups, usually of one sex, formed to complete a specific task. This concept of forming task groups was also practised within the individual bands. In order to survive, local hunting and gathering practices required equal effort from all members of the band. The food gathered by women was an essential contribution to a balanced seasonal food supply. Blueberries and cranberries were gathered and dried for use in the winter, but extra was also picked for trade.

Trade networks ran north to south through Canadian Shield territories. Boreal forest hunters traded meat for agricultural goods from the Great Lakes region. There was also a flourishing trade in medicinal herbs. The medicine trade involved remedies for coughs, colds, aches, pains, burns, and cuts. The Cree gained a reputation as respected healers.