Monday, December 5, 2011
CHURCH OF RELIGOUS SCIENCE
TODAY I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE CHURCH I ATTEND. THERE WERE ABOUT 15 PEOPLE DRESSED IN INDIAN STYLE AND SOME FOLKS INCLUDING OUR MINISTER WERE PLAYING INSTRUMENTS. ONE LADY HAD A RED DOT ON HER HEAD AS THEY DO IN INDIA. AND SHE FROM BERKLEY ANOTHER DRUMMER WAS GREAT. WE WERE WAS GREAT . WE WERE INVITED TO SING ALONG AS THE INDIAN CHANTING WORDS WERE PROJECTED ON THE FRONT WALL.THEY WERE SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO PRONOUNCE. SOME OF THE WORDS WERE ONE OR TWO SYLLABLES WHILE OTHERS WERE MORE DIFFICULT. AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE WENT TO THE LOBBY TO SAY HIGH TO SEVERAL FOLKS AND SPEAK TO A GUY WHO DESIGNED A STRANGE INSTRUMENT THAT VIBRATED SOUND AND LOOKED LIKE A METAL BED FRAME POST. IT WAS PRETTY WEIRD. I WENT TO THE BOOKSTORE AND SAW A WOODEN BUDDHA THAT WAS ABOUT $100. I HAD BOUGHT ONE FOR ONLY $30 AT A ANTIQUE STORE SO I GOT A GOOD PRICE. THEN I DECIDED TO STAY FOR ANOTHER SESSION OF CHANTING WHICH MADE ME THINK OF GOING TO INDIA. SOMEDAY I WILL GO WITH MY AUNT AND FAMILY TO INDIA. I MET SOME NEW PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING BESIDE ME THIS CHURCH HAS NO BAPTISM. AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE ATTENDED A CEREMONY HERE FOR GETTING REMARRIED BY THIS MINISTER YEARS AGO. HE IS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
FINLEY CENTER ON HOLIDAY CRAFTS
TODAY I ENJOYED AND MEETING MANY ARTISTS WHO CAME FROM VARIOUS CITIES IN CALIFORNIA TO SELL THEIR CRAFTS. ONE LADY LOOKED FAMILIAR AS I HAD BEEN BEEN TO THIS FAIR LAST YEAR. SHE WAS ADDICTED TO BEADS AND MAKING JEWELRY. SHE TOLD US 5 PLACES WHERE SHE BOUGHT HER BEADS. A NEARBY ARTIST WAS AN EXPERT IN CARVING AND INCISING DESIGNS. ON GOURDS. SOME OF THEM HAD LEATHER STRAPS. IT WAS IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE SOMETHING THE NATIVE AMERICANS MIGHT HAVE MADE. I LISTENED TO A QUARTET OF PEOPLE WHO PLAYED MEDIEVAL SONGS WITH VARIOUS RECORDERS. I BOUGHT A CD FROM AN EXCELLENT HARP PLAYER.
THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE THERE THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN HELD HERE FOR MANY YEARS. THERE WERE SOME MALE ARTISTS AS WELL. SOME MADE NEAT CARVED WOODEN HIKING STICKS. ANOTHER MAN MADE I HAD SEEN AT THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MARKET SOLD RAKU POTTERY. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND EXPENSIVE. I ALSO SAW A CHINESE MAN WHO MADE WOODEN DESKS AND CHAIRS FOR CHILDREN. THERE WERE A TRIO OF LADIES WHO DID SOME YARN CRAFTS WITH ORNAMENT WERE HAVING FUN SHOWINF THEIR ITEMS. THEY MADE SOME POT HOLDERS AND SOME SILLY CRAFTS. MANY LADIES HAD THE SKILL OF MAKING JEWELRY OF VARIOUS TYPES. MANY WERE OF FINE SILVER WITH VARIOUS BEADS, SOME WITH GLASS BEADS, OTHERS WITH TURQOISE. ONE MANCARVED THE BOTTOM OF WINE BARRELS INTO VARIOUS SCENES OF HUNTING, WILD ANIMALS, ETC AND THEY COST FROM $700 TO $1000. ANOTHER NICE LADY EXPLAINED HOW SHE PAINTED TULE AND OTHER DESIGNS ON WOODEN PLATES, VARIOUS HISTORIC WOODEN BOARDS, POTS, KETTLES, AND CHRISTMAS POSTS AND CARVED WOOD.
ANOTHER ARTIST MADE GLASS PIECES FOR NECKLASSES AND PLATES. SHE USED A TECHNIQUE WHERE SHE CUT THE SHAPE OF GLASS AND ADDED VARIOUS COLORS IN A TYPE OF "SUPERIMPOSED DESIGN" TO GIVE IT DEPTH. SHE PUT THESE PIECES ON SILVER NECKLACES AFTER SHE FIRED THEM IN A KILN. I SPOKE WITH ANOTHER LADY WHO HAD SEVERAL LARGE FLOOR LOOMS. SHE MADE SOME INTERESTING SCARVES THAT WERE TIGHTLY WOVEN OF ACRYLIC, COTTON, AND FINE WOOL. THEY WERE GORGEOUS AND EXPENSIVE. SHE SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT BACKSTRAP LOOMS. SHE AND HER DAUGHTER LOOKED ALMOST LIKE SISTERS! SEVERAL LADIES WERE MADE VARIOUS SHEA BUTTER CREAMS THAT SMELLED DIFFERENT. I TRIED SOME OF THES ON MY HANDS. THE AROMATHERY BOTTLES HAD ESSENCES OF VARIOUS HERBS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO ENLIGHTEN YOU FROM ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION AND OTHER AILMENTS. ANOTHER ARTIST MADE KILN FIRED GLASS PLATES.
OTHER LADIES MADE SOME QUILTS FOR TABLE COVERS, SOME SEWED, NEAT OLD FASHIONED
KITCHEN APRONS. THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE MAKING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. THE KIDS KEPT
BUSY OUTSIDE USING HIULA HOOPS.
A MEXICAN LADY AND SEVERAL OTHERS MADE LIVE WREATHS OF EUCALYPTUS, AND VARIOUS LIVE OR DIVIDED PODS AND BERRIES. ANOTHER MADE WREATHS FROM PINE CONES.
THE FAIR EVENT ATTRACTED MOSTLY WOMEN FROM 40 TO 80. AN INTERESTING PART OF THE EVENT A RAFFLE OF OF CRAFTS FROM EACH ARTIST WHO PARTICIPATED. WE TOLD EACH OTHER OUR STORIES.
THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE THERE THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN HELD HERE FOR MANY YEARS. THERE WERE SOME MALE ARTISTS AS WELL. SOME MADE NEAT CARVED WOODEN HIKING STICKS. ANOTHER MAN MADE I HAD SEEN AT THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MARKET SOLD RAKU POTTERY. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND EXPENSIVE. I ALSO SAW A CHINESE MAN WHO MADE WOODEN DESKS AND CHAIRS FOR CHILDREN. THERE WERE A TRIO OF LADIES WHO DID SOME YARN CRAFTS WITH ORNAMENT WERE HAVING FUN SHOWINF THEIR ITEMS. THEY MADE SOME POT HOLDERS AND SOME SILLY CRAFTS. MANY LADIES HAD THE SKILL OF MAKING JEWELRY OF VARIOUS TYPES. MANY WERE OF FINE SILVER WITH VARIOUS BEADS, SOME WITH GLASS BEADS, OTHERS WITH TURQOISE. ONE MANCARVED THE BOTTOM OF WINE BARRELS INTO VARIOUS SCENES OF HUNTING, WILD ANIMALS, ETC AND THEY COST FROM $700 TO $1000. ANOTHER NICE LADY EXPLAINED HOW SHE PAINTED TULE AND OTHER DESIGNS ON WOODEN PLATES, VARIOUS HISTORIC WOODEN BOARDS, POTS, KETTLES, AND CHRISTMAS POSTS AND CARVED WOOD.
ANOTHER ARTIST MADE GLASS PIECES FOR NECKLASSES AND PLATES. SHE USED A TECHNIQUE WHERE SHE CUT THE SHAPE OF GLASS AND ADDED VARIOUS COLORS IN A TYPE OF "SUPERIMPOSED DESIGN" TO GIVE IT DEPTH. SHE PUT THESE PIECES ON SILVER NECKLACES AFTER SHE FIRED THEM IN A KILN. I SPOKE WITH ANOTHER LADY WHO HAD SEVERAL LARGE FLOOR LOOMS. SHE MADE SOME INTERESTING SCARVES THAT WERE TIGHTLY WOVEN OF ACRYLIC, COTTON, AND FINE WOOL. THEY WERE GORGEOUS AND EXPENSIVE. SHE SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT BACKSTRAP LOOMS. SHE AND HER DAUGHTER LOOKED ALMOST LIKE SISTERS! SEVERAL LADIES WERE MADE VARIOUS SHEA BUTTER CREAMS THAT SMELLED DIFFERENT. I TRIED SOME OF THES ON MY HANDS. THE AROMATHERY BOTTLES HAD ESSENCES OF VARIOUS HERBS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO ENLIGHTEN YOU FROM ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION AND OTHER AILMENTS. ANOTHER ARTIST MADE KILN FIRED GLASS PLATES.
OTHER LADIES MADE SOME QUILTS FOR TABLE COVERS, SOME SEWED, NEAT OLD FASHIONED
KITCHEN APRONS. THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE MAKING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. THE KIDS KEPT
BUSY OUTSIDE USING HIULA HOOPS.
A MEXICAN LADY AND SEVERAL OTHERS MADE LIVE WREATHS OF EUCALYPTUS, AND VARIOUS LIVE OR DIVIDED PODS AND BERRIES. ANOTHER MADE WREATHS FROM PINE CONES.
THE FAIR EVENT ATTRACTED MOSTLY WOMEN FROM 40 TO 80. AN INTERESTING PART OF THE EVENT A RAFFLE OF OF CRAFTS FROM EACH ARTIST WHO PARTICIPATED. WE TOLD EACH OTHER OUR STORIES.
Friday, December 2, 2011
AGUARUNA INDIANS IN PERU
THE AGUARUNA INDIANS SPEAK A JIVAROAN LANGUAGE OF SOUTH AMERICA. IT IS SPOKEN BY 30,0000 PEOPLE IN NORTHERN PERU. THESE PEOPLE LIVE IN VARIOUS TOWNS ALONG THE RIVER OF MARANON AND SANTIAGO. THEY LIVE IN ELEVATIONS OF 200 TO 1000 METERS IN PERU. ONCE THE SPANISH CAME HERE, THE AGUARUNA HAD BEEN FIGHTING INCA FOR SOME TIME. THEY WERE FIRST CONTACTED BY SPANISH IN 1549. ALTHOUGH CONTACT WITH ANGLOS REDUCED THEIR POPULATION THEY DEFEATED THE SPANISH IN 1600. THEY DID NOT ACCEPT CATHOLICISMIN THE 1970'S MANY AGUARUNA GROUPS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF CHANGE IN PERUVIAN LAW AND RECEIVED OWNERSHIP OF THEIR LANDS. THEY NOW COMMUNICATE IN SPANISH AND QUECHUA. THEY PRIMARILY DO SWIDDEN HORTICULTURE AND THEY HAVE HUNT AND FISH. THEY RAISED SWEET MANIOC, PLAINTAIN, MAIZE AND BEANS, POTATOES. COTTON TOBACCO AND OTHER CROPS. THEY RAISE LIVESTOCK AND SELL ANIMAL SKINS.
THEIR VILLAGES ARE SEMI-PERMANENT AND HAVE UP TO 150 INHABITANTS. VILLAGES HAVE BECOME MORE CENTRALIZED AND HAVE UP TO 150 INHABITANTS. THE VILLAGES HAVE A SCHOOL NEARBY.THEY HAVE DEFENDED THEIR TERRITORY BY DRESSING UP IN FIERCE-LOOKING COSTUMES. THEY USE SWIDDEN AGRICULTURE AND THEY AVOID WITCHCRAFT. THEIR OVAL HOUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY SMALLER RECTANGULAR HOUSES.
THE HEADMEN OR VILLAGE CHIEF'S POWER DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF HIS KIN. THEY HAVE A DESIRE TO REMAIN WITH THEIR KIN AND MARRY WITHIN CERTAIN SOCIAL UNITS. MAGIC IS IMPORTANT AND THEY SING SPECIAL SONGS TO AID IN SEDUCTION, HUNTING, GARDENING, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. THEIR SONGS CAN BECOME VERY SPECIALIZED. SHAMANS ARE OF TWO TYPES:IWISHIN OR TAJIMAT TUNCHI (CURING SHAMANS) AND WAWEK TUNCHI(SORCERERS). THE SAME PERSON MAY BE SORCERERS. SORCERERS INFLICT ILLNESS BY USING SPIRIT DARTS, AND CURING SHAMANS CURE BY USING DARTS TO ELIMINATE SORCERERS.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
THEIR VILLAGES ARE SEMI-PERMANENT AND HAVE UP TO 150 INHABITANTS. VILLAGES HAVE BECOME MORE CENTRALIZED AND HAVE UP TO 150 INHABITANTS. THE VILLAGES HAVE A SCHOOL NEARBY.THEY HAVE DEFENDED THEIR TERRITORY BY DRESSING UP IN FIERCE-LOOKING COSTUMES. THEY USE SWIDDEN AGRICULTURE AND THEY AVOID WITCHCRAFT. THEIR OVAL HOUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY SMALLER RECTANGULAR HOUSES.
THE HEADMEN OR VILLAGE CHIEF'S POWER DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF HIS KIN. THEY HAVE A DESIRE TO REMAIN WITH THEIR KIN AND MARRY WITHIN CERTAIN SOCIAL UNITS. MAGIC IS IMPORTANT AND THEY SING SPECIAL SONGS TO AID IN SEDUCTION, HUNTING, GARDENING, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. THEIR SONGS CAN BECOME VERY SPECIALIZED. SHAMANS ARE OF TWO TYPES:IWISHIN OR TAJIMAT TUNCHI (CURING SHAMANS) AND WAWEK TUNCHI(SORCERERS). THE SAME PERSON MAY BE SORCERERS. SORCERERS INFLICT ILLNESS BY USING SPIRIT DARTS, AND CURING SHAMANS CURE BY USING DARTS TO ELIMINATE SORCERERS.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
ACHUVAR INDIANS IN PERU
THE ACHUVAR CULTURE IS INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT. THESE FOLKS LIVE IN THE PASTAZA, HUCASAGA, AND OTHER RIVERS. THEY HAVE ABOUT 77 ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND 12,000PEOPLE. THEY THREE MAIN ORGANIZATIONS. THESE PEOPLE LIVE IN THE RAIN FOREST FOR CENTURIES UNTIL THE 1970'S. THEY HAVE TRADITIONS THAT ARE STILL IMPORTANT AND THEIR LAND IS UNTOUCHED BY LOGGING OR OIL COMPANIES. THEY HAVE MACAWS AND THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR CONSERVATION. THEY LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL ANIMALS AND PLANTS HAVE HUMAN -LIKE ATTRIBUTES WITH A SOUL AND AN INDEPENDANT LIFE. ACCORDING TO THEM EVERY PLANT AND ANIMAL CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY ITS OWN LANGUAGE AND THE ACHUAR UNDERSTANDS THEM.
THEY KNOW EVERY TYPE OF TREE AND EVERY ANIMAL SPECIES. THEY HAVE THEY KNOW WHERE TO FISH, HOW TO HUNT, AND WHEN TO SEED THEIR CROPS. THE FOREST IS THEIR MOTHER.
THE ACHUAR BELIEVE WHEN SOMEONE DIES SOME PARTS OF THEIR BODY WILL REINCAARNATE INTO ANIMALS. THE IWIANCA ANIMALS ARE FORMS OF A PERSON'S SOUL. THESE ARE NEVER HUNTED OR EATEN BY THEM TO DO SO WOULD BE CANNALBALISM.
THEY KNOW EVERY 500 SPECIES OF BIRDS IN THEIR FOREST. EACH PERSON KNOWS EACH TREE AND CAN EXPLAIN THEIR MEDICINAL AND PRACTICAL USES. THEY HAVE EXPERT GUIDES OR BIOLOGISTS TO GIVE YOU VALUABLE INFORMATION.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
THEY KNOW EVERY TYPE OF TREE AND EVERY ANIMAL SPECIES. THEY HAVE THEY KNOW WHERE TO FISH, HOW TO HUNT, AND WHEN TO SEED THEIR CROPS. THE FOREST IS THEIR MOTHER.
THE ACHUAR BELIEVE WHEN SOMEONE DIES SOME PARTS OF THEIR BODY WILL REINCAARNATE INTO ANIMALS. THE IWIANCA ANIMALS ARE FORMS OF A PERSON'S SOUL. THESE ARE NEVER HUNTED OR EATEN BY THEM TO DO SO WOULD BE CANNALBALISM.
THEY KNOW EVERY 500 SPECIES OF BIRDS IN THEIR FOREST. EACH PERSON KNOWS EACH TREE AND CAN EXPLAIN THEIR MEDICINAL AND PRACTICAL USES. THEY HAVE EXPERT GUIDES OR BIOLOGISTS TO GIVE YOU VALUABLE INFORMATION.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
Thursday, December 1, 2011
ALEUTIAN ISLAND INDIANS
CULTURAL SURVIVAL OF THE ALEUTS OF THE PRIBOLOS ISLANDS IN ALASKA IS ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL.THEY WERE TAKEN FROM THEIR HOMES ON THE ALEUTIAN CHAIN TO TWO HUNDRED UNINHABITED AND ISOLATED ISLANDS IN THE CENTRAL BERING SEA. THE PRIBILOF ALEUTS WERE FORCED INTO SERVICE TO KILL SEA MAMMALS FOR TWO COLONIAL REGIMES - FIRST RUSSIA AND THEN THE U.S. THE ALEUTS WERE A COG IN A WHEEL OF A MASSIVE FUR INDUSTRY THAT LASTED 200 YEARS FROM WHICH THEIR CULTURAL HISTORY DEVELOPED.
THE SEAL HUNTERS ARE DESCENDANTS OF THE GREAT MARITIME RAIDS OF THE ALEUTS WHO SETTLED ALONG THE ALEUTIAN ARCHIPELAGO, A 1300 KM CHAIN OF ISLANDS EXTENDING SOUTHWARD TO ALASKA. RUSSIANS CALLED THEM ALEUTS, BUT THEIR NAME IS CALLED UMANGAN WHICH MEANS THE COAST. THEY MIGRATED ACROSS BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE FROM ASIA BETWEEN 12,000 TO 15,000 YEARS AGO. AN EARLY ESKIMO ALEUT CULTURE BEGAN TO DEVELOP ABOUT 8000 YEARS AGO IN THE BERING SEA. THEY LATER BRANCHED TO THE DISTINCTIVE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE OF THE UMANGAN ALONG THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. AN ESKIMO CULTURE DEVELOPED. AN ESKIMO CULTURE DEVELOPED ABOUT 8,000 YEARS AGO AND BRANCHED INTO THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. THEY LIVED IN SEMI SUBTERRANEAN AND RIGOROUS CLIMATE. THEY PASSED SPECIAL SKILLS FOR HUNTING MARITIME MAMMALS FROM THEIR KAYAKS.
THE RUSSIAN FUR TRADERS WERE HERE AFTER 1750 TO HUNT SEA OTTERS AND SEALS. IN THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF RUSSIAN FUR TRADER.
AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF RUSSIAN CONTROL THE ALEUTS DIED FROM DISEASES, WARS, MALNUTRITION, AND PRIVATION CAUSED BY THE TRANSPORT OF HUNTERS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO HUNT SEA MAMMALS FOR THE RUSSIANS.
THE ALEUT POPULATION WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN BETYWEEN 12000 TO 15000. TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 2,000 ALEUTS AND ONLY 340 SPEAK ALEUT LANGUAGE. IN 1786 A RUSSIAN MAN,PRIBOLOF, DISCOVERED TWO ISLANDS AND THEY WERE GIVEN THIS NAME. THESE ISLANDS TWO ISLANDS AND THEY WERE GIVEN HIS NAME. THESE ISLANDS ARE THE GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF NORTHERN PACIFIC FUR SEALS IN THE WORLD. THE RUSSIAN TRADERS HAD NEARLY ELIMINATED THE SEA OTTER AND WERE LOOKING AND WERE SEEKING THE MOST NEXT MOST VALUABLE SOURCE OF FURS. THE DISCOVERY OF THE PRIBOLOFS EXTENDED THE RUSSIAN FUR TRADE IN AMERICAS FOR ANOTHER CENTURY.
THE ALEUT HUNTERS WERE TAKEN TO THE ISLANDS OFTEN WITHOUT CHOICE ON A SEASONAL BASIS AND BY THE 1820'S PERMENENT SETLEMENT WERE ON A SEASONAL BASIS AND BY THE 1820'S PERMAMNENT SETTLEMENT WERE ON THE TWO ISLANDS. SEALS WERE KILLED RUTHLESSLY, WHEN THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMPANY ESTABLISHED A LICENSED FUR SEAL MONOPOLY. CONSERVATION OF THE SEALS WAS ENFORCED BY TAKING ON 3 TO 5 YEAR OLD NONBREEDING MALES, AND PROHIBITING TAKING ANY FEMALE SEALS.
A GREAT SHOCK CAME TO THE THE ALEUTS AS THEY LOST THEIR SEA NAVIGATION AND SEA HUNTING SKILLS ON THE PRIBOLOFS AS THEY WERE FORCED INTO A LAND BASED INDUSTRY THAT INTERFERED WITH THEIR TRADITIONAL SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES. THE MEN WORKED TO FISH OR HUNT DURING THE SEALING MONTHS. THEY WORKED FOR A COMPANY TO HARVEST SEALS IN ASSEMBLY LINES. WOMEN AND CHILDREN GATHER SEAL MEAT TO SALT FOR WINTER USE. DURING WINTER THE MEN HUNTED STELLAR SEA LIONS FROM SHORE. THEY HAD TO HAVE STRICT HUNTING ETHICS FOR ELDERS. THEIR OTHER FOODS WERE DUCKS, REINDEER, HALIBUT AND SEA EGGS. THEY DEVELOPED AN EXTENSIVE TRADE NETWORK BETWEEN THE PRIBOLOF ALEUTS AND THEIR RELATIVES ON THE OTHER ISLANDS. THE ALEUTS HAD OTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR SHAMANS REGARDING HUNTING, TABOOS, WEATHER, AND PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. SUN AND SEALIFE WERE SACRED SOURCES OF LIFE. THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOXRESPECTED THEIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RESPECTED THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. ALL OF THEIR SUBSISTANCE STRATEGIES RECEIVE THE PREIST'S BLESSING.
THE MAIN CHALLENGE WAS A LARGE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT TO TO SEAL KILLING. THERE WERE MANY MEASURES TAKEN. IN 1983 THEIR WERE MANY MEASURES TAKEN. IN 1983 THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WITHDREW $6.2. MILLION IN ANNUAL ALLOCATIONDOLLARS FROM THE PRIBILOFS. THEN THE U.S. WITHDREW FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FUR SEAL TREATY, LEAVING THE THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL TREATY MIGRATORY PROTECTION. THE LEADERS HAD THE DIFFICULT TASK OF BALANCING TRADITIONAL VALUES WITH ELEMENTS OF WESTERN CULTURE. THEY NEEDED TO BALANCE AND MANAGE AND PLAN THEIR DESTINY. THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN A SHORT PERIOD MIRACULOUSLY.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
THE SEAL HUNTERS ARE DESCENDANTS OF THE GREAT MARITIME RAIDS OF THE ALEUTS WHO SETTLED ALONG THE ALEUTIAN ARCHIPELAGO, A 1300 KM CHAIN OF ISLANDS EXTENDING SOUTHWARD TO ALASKA. RUSSIANS CALLED THEM ALEUTS, BUT THEIR NAME IS CALLED UMANGAN WHICH MEANS THE COAST. THEY MIGRATED ACROSS BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE FROM ASIA BETWEEN 12,000 TO 15,000 YEARS AGO. AN EARLY ESKIMO ALEUT CULTURE BEGAN TO DEVELOP ABOUT 8000 YEARS AGO IN THE BERING SEA. THEY LATER BRANCHED TO THE DISTINCTIVE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE OF THE UMANGAN ALONG THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. AN ESKIMO CULTURE DEVELOPED. AN ESKIMO CULTURE DEVELOPED ABOUT 8,000 YEARS AGO AND BRANCHED INTO THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. THEY LIVED IN SEMI SUBTERRANEAN AND RIGOROUS CLIMATE. THEY PASSED SPECIAL SKILLS FOR HUNTING MARITIME MAMMALS FROM THEIR KAYAKS.
THE RUSSIAN FUR TRADERS WERE HERE AFTER 1750 TO HUNT SEA OTTERS AND SEALS. IN THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF RUSSIAN FUR TRADER.
AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF RUSSIAN CONTROL THE ALEUTS DIED FROM DISEASES, WARS, MALNUTRITION, AND PRIVATION CAUSED BY THE TRANSPORT OF HUNTERS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO HUNT SEA MAMMALS FOR THE RUSSIANS.
THE ALEUT POPULATION WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN BETYWEEN 12000 TO 15000. TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 2,000 ALEUTS AND ONLY 340 SPEAK ALEUT LANGUAGE. IN 1786 A RUSSIAN MAN,PRIBOLOF, DISCOVERED TWO ISLANDS AND THEY WERE GIVEN THIS NAME. THESE ISLANDS TWO ISLANDS AND THEY WERE GIVEN HIS NAME. THESE ISLANDS ARE THE GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF NORTHERN PACIFIC FUR SEALS IN THE WORLD. THE RUSSIAN TRADERS HAD NEARLY ELIMINATED THE SEA OTTER AND WERE LOOKING AND WERE SEEKING THE MOST NEXT MOST VALUABLE SOURCE OF FURS. THE DISCOVERY OF THE PRIBOLOFS EXTENDED THE RUSSIAN FUR TRADE IN AMERICAS FOR ANOTHER CENTURY.
THE ALEUT HUNTERS WERE TAKEN TO THE ISLANDS OFTEN WITHOUT CHOICE ON A SEASONAL BASIS AND BY THE 1820'S PERMENENT SETLEMENT WERE ON A SEASONAL BASIS AND BY THE 1820'S PERMAMNENT SETTLEMENT WERE ON THE TWO ISLANDS. SEALS WERE KILLED RUTHLESSLY, WHEN THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMPANY ESTABLISHED A LICENSED FUR SEAL MONOPOLY. CONSERVATION OF THE SEALS WAS ENFORCED BY TAKING ON 3 TO 5 YEAR OLD NONBREEDING MALES, AND PROHIBITING TAKING ANY FEMALE SEALS.
A GREAT SHOCK CAME TO THE THE ALEUTS AS THEY LOST THEIR SEA NAVIGATION AND SEA HUNTING SKILLS ON THE PRIBOLOFS AS THEY WERE FORCED INTO A LAND BASED INDUSTRY THAT INTERFERED WITH THEIR TRADITIONAL SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES. THE MEN WORKED TO FISH OR HUNT DURING THE SEALING MONTHS. THEY WORKED FOR A COMPANY TO HARVEST SEALS IN ASSEMBLY LINES. WOMEN AND CHILDREN GATHER SEAL MEAT TO SALT FOR WINTER USE. DURING WINTER THE MEN HUNTED STELLAR SEA LIONS FROM SHORE. THEY HAD TO HAVE STRICT HUNTING ETHICS FOR ELDERS. THEIR OTHER FOODS WERE DUCKS, REINDEER, HALIBUT AND SEA EGGS. THEY DEVELOPED AN EXTENSIVE TRADE NETWORK BETWEEN THE PRIBOLOF ALEUTS AND THEIR RELATIVES ON THE OTHER ISLANDS. THE ALEUTS HAD OTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THEIR SHAMANS REGARDING HUNTING, TABOOS, WEATHER, AND PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. SUN AND SEALIFE WERE SACRED SOURCES OF LIFE. THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOXRESPECTED THEIR ORTHODOX CHURCH RESPECTED THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. ALL OF THEIR SUBSISTANCE STRATEGIES RECEIVE THE PREIST'S BLESSING.
THE MAIN CHALLENGE WAS A LARGE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT TO TO SEAL KILLING. THERE WERE MANY MEASURES TAKEN. IN 1983 THEIR WERE MANY MEASURES TAKEN. IN 1983 THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WITHDREW $6.2. MILLION IN ANNUAL ALLOCATIONDOLLARS FROM THE PRIBILOFS. THEN THE U.S. WITHDREW FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FUR SEAL TREATY, LEAVING THE THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL TREATY MIGRATORY PROTECTION. THE LEADERS HAD THE DIFFICULT TASK OF BALANCING TRADITIONAL VALUES WITH ELEMENTS OF WESTERN CULTURE. THEY NEEDED TO BALANCE AND MANAGE AND PLAN THEIR DESTINY. THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN A SHORT PERIOD MIRACULOUSLY.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
MI'KMAQ INDIANS OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
MI'KMAQ LANGUAGE IS AN ALGONQUIAN LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY 8000 INDIANS IN THE CANADIAN MARITIMES AND SOME U.S. TOWNS. THEIR LANGUAGE USED TO BE WRITTEN IN PICTOGRAPHS. THE PICTOGRAPHS WERE MODIFIED BY MISSIONARIES WHO USED THEM TO TEACH CHRIST PRAYERS TO THE MIKMAQ. THEY DON'T RESEMBLE EGYPT OR MAYAN HIEROGLYPHS. THE MIKMAQ IS ENTIRELY NATIVE TO THE NEW WORLD AND IS RELATED TO OTHER NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN LANGUAGES LIKE LENAPE. THE MIKMAQ IS A LANGUAGE THAT A NUMBER OF CHILDREN LEARN. HOWEVER IT IS DECLINING SINCE THE 1970'S.
THESE INDIANS ARE INDIGENOUS TO EASTERN CANADA. THEIR ORIGINAL NAME LUN'K OR THE PEOPLE. THEY LIKE TO DO PORCUPINE ART. THEY HAD A NUMBER OF ALLIES WHO FORMED WHO FORMED HISTORIC WABANAKI CONFEDERACY. TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 25,000 MI'KMAQ TODAY. THEY STILL IVE ON TRADITIONAL LAND. THEY ALLIED WITH THE FRENCH, BUT DID NOT PICK THE WINNING SIDE ON THE FIGHT FOR NOVA SCOTIA. THE FRENCH DID NOT MASSACRE ON THE MI'KMAQ NOR INFRINGE ON THEIR TERRITORY.
THE ENGLISH WERE ASSISTED TO DEPORT THE FRENCH. BUT THE MI'KMAQ REMAIN HERE TODAY.
A MI'KMAQ CREATION MYTH - BEFORE THE EARTH WAS NEW THE SUN WAS ALL THAT EXISTED IN THE UNIVERSE. THE SUN DIVIDED THE EARTH INTO SEVERAL PARTS. IN EACH PART THE SUN CAUSED A MAN AND A WOMAN TO BE BORN. THEY BORE CHILDREN AND LIVED FOR MANY YEARS . WICKEDNESS PERVADED THIS FAMILY, AND SLOWLY THEY KILLED ONE ANOTHER. THE SUN WEPT IN GRIEF. THE TEARS BECAME RAIN THAT FILLED AND COVERED THE EARTH WITH WATER. THEY BUILT BARK CANOES TO SAVE THEMSELVES FROM THE FLOOD. A VIOLENT WIND OVERTURNED THEIR BOATS. ALL PERISHED IN THE SEA. HOWEVER AN OLD MAN AND WOMAN SURVIVED AND POPULATED THE EARTH. STORYTELLING IS A MEANS OF ENTERTAINING AND SHARING INFORMATION.
THIS TRIBE LIVES ON A RESERVATION. WHICH IS UNDER THEIR CONTROL. THE LEADER OF THE TRIBE IS CALLED THE CHIEF OR SAKMAW IN THEIR LANGUAGE. IN THE PAST THE MIK'MAQ LANGUAGE WAS CHOSEN BY TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS. OFTEN THEY PICKED THE LAST CHIEF'S SONS AND NEPHEWS. TODAY CHIEFS ARE ELECTED IN MOST MI'KMAQ NATIONS LIKE MAYORS.
TODAY THEY SPEAK ENGLISH. THE KIDS GO AND PLAY AND GO TO SCHOOL. THEY LEARN FROM THEIR PARENTS. THEY HAD MORE CHORES IN THE PAST. THEY PLAYED GAMES THEY LIKED A HOCKEY GAME. THE MOM'S MADE CRADLE BOARDS. THEY ORIGINALLY LIVED IN WIGWAMS OF WOOD AND BIRCH BARK. TODAY THEY LIVE IN MODERN HOUSES OR APARTMENTS.
THEY DID NOT HAVE LONG FEATHER HEADDRESSES. INSTEAD THEY WORE THEIR BEADED HEADBANDS WITH FEATHERS. SOME MEN PAINTED THEIR FACE THEIR FACES RED AS THEY WENT TO BATTLE. THEY WORE THEIR HAIR LONG AND LOOSE. FRENCH MISSIONARIES COULD NOT TELL MEN AND WOMEN APART BECAUSE THEIR HAIR WAS LONG AND LOOSE. FRENCH MISSIONARIES COULD NOT TELL NOT TELL MEN AND WOMEN APART BECAUSE THEIR HAIR WAS SO LONG! IN THE 1800'S SOME CHIEFS BEGAN WEARING AN IMPRESSIVE FEATHER HEADDRESSES. TODAY SOME PEOPLE STILL WEAR TRADITIONAL MIKMAQ CLOTHING AND THEY WEAR FEATHERS IN THEIR HAIR FOR A DANCE.
THEY WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR BIRCH BARK CANOES WITH AN UPWARD CURVE. IT IS STILL POPULAR TODAY. THEY USE DOGS AS PACK ANIMALS. THEY WERE SEMI-NOMADIC AND DID NOT FORM AND MOVED TO COLLECT FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING LARGE GAME LIKE CARIBOU AND MOOSE. MICMAQ MEN ALSO ALSO WERE ALSO WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING CARIBOU AND MOOSE. MICMAQ MEN ALSO WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING. THE MEN HARPOONED SEALS AND WALRUS, AND SOME WHALES. THEY ATE OTHER FOODS SUCH AS BERRIES, SQUASH, AND MAPLE SYRUP. THEY WERE SKILLED AT BEADWORK AND BASKET WEAVING. THEY CARVED BEADS CALLED WAMPUM OF PURPLE AND WHITE SHELL BEADS.
THEY MADE WAMPUM BELTS. THEY WERE GREAT TRADERS, CARRYING GOODS BETWEEN NORTHERN TRIBES LIKE THE INNU, CREE, AND NEW ENGLAND. THEY WERE FIERCE WARRIORS WHO FOUGHT THE IROQUOIS. THEY HAVE MANY LEGENDS AND FAIRY TALES. STORY TELLING IS VERY IMPORTANT. SOME OF THEIR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MANY CONFLICTS OF LAND RIGHTS. THE MI'KMAQ AND OTHER TRIBES TODAY SIGNED TREATIES GIVING UP OWNERSHIP OF THEIR LANDS. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THE MI'KMACS WOULD HAVE FISHING AND HUNTING AND LOGGING RIGHTS. THESE RIGHTS MADE THE ANGLOS ANGRY. THE MI'KMAQS HAD TO PAY FOR THOSE RIGHTS. SOME ANGLOS DESTROYED A NATIVE FISHING AREA AND BURNED A SACRED SITE. THERE IS STILL TENSION THERE.
THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR AT LEAST 10,600 YEARS ACCORDING TO ARCHAEOLOGISTS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND PHYSICAL TRACES. BEFORE 13,000 YEARS AGO NO ONE WAS LIVING HERE AS THE ENTIRE AREA WAS COVERED WITH ICE. THE EARLIEST KNOWN INHABITANTS WERE MAKING WEAPONS, KILLED GAME AND CLEANED HIDES BY AT LEAST 10,000 YEARS AGO AT A CAMP DISCOVERED IN DELBERT, NOVA SCOTIA. EVEN THEN SMALL ICE CAPS COVERED THE MOUNTAINS. LATER THE CLIMATE BECAME WARMER AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORESTS AND ANIMALS APPEARED. THE EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR LESS THAN 500 YEARS.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.ORG
THESE INDIANS ARE INDIGENOUS TO EASTERN CANADA. THEIR ORIGINAL NAME LUN'K OR THE PEOPLE. THEY LIKE TO DO PORCUPINE ART. THEY HAD A NUMBER OF ALLIES WHO FORMED WHO FORMED HISTORIC WABANAKI CONFEDERACY. TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 25,000 MI'KMAQ TODAY. THEY STILL IVE ON TRADITIONAL LAND. THEY ALLIED WITH THE FRENCH, BUT DID NOT PICK THE WINNING SIDE ON THE FIGHT FOR NOVA SCOTIA. THE FRENCH DID NOT MASSACRE ON THE MI'KMAQ NOR INFRINGE ON THEIR TERRITORY.
THE ENGLISH WERE ASSISTED TO DEPORT THE FRENCH. BUT THE MI'KMAQ REMAIN HERE TODAY.
A MI'KMAQ CREATION MYTH - BEFORE THE EARTH WAS NEW THE SUN WAS ALL THAT EXISTED IN THE UNIVERSE. THE SUN DIVIDED THE EARTH INTO SEVERAL PARTS. IN EACH PART THE SUN CAUSED A MAN AND A WOMAN TO BE BORN. THEY BORE CHILDREN AND LIVED FOR MANY YEARS . WICKEDNESS PERVADED THIS FAMILY, AND SLOWLY THEY KILLED ONE ANOTHER. THE SUN WEPT IN GRIEF. THE TEARS BECAME RAIN THAT FILLED AND COVERED THE EARTH WITH WATER. THEY BUILT BARK CANOES TO SAVE THEMSELVES FROM THE FLOOD. A VIOLENT WIND OVERTURNED THEIR BOATS. ALL PERISHED IN THE SEA. HOWEVER AN OLD MAN AND WOMAN SURVIVED AND POPULATED THE EARTH. STORYTELLING IS A MEANS OF ENTERTAINING AND SHARING INFORMATION.
THIS TRIBE LIVES ON A RESERVATION. WHICH IS UNDER THEIR CONTROL. THE LEADER OF THE TRIBE IS CALLED THE CHIEF OR SAKMAW IN THEIR LANGUAGE. IN THE PAST THE MIK'MAQ LANGUAGE WAS CHOSEN BY TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS. OFTEN THEY PICKED THE LAST CHIEF'S SONS AND NEPHEWS. TODAY CHIEFS ARE ELECTED IN MOST MI'KMAQ NATIONS LIKE MAYORS.
TODAY THEY SPEAK ENGLISH. THE KIDS GO AND PLAY AND GO TO SCHOOL. THEY LEARN FROM THEIR PARENTS. THEY HAD MORE CHORES IN THE PAST. THEY PLAYED GAMES THEY LIKED A HOCKEY GAME. THE MOM'S MADE CRADLE BOARDS. THEY ORIGINALLY LIVED IN WIGWAMS OF WOOD AND BIRCH BARK. TODAY THEY LIVE IN MODERN HOUSES OR APARTMENTS.
THEY DID NOT HAVE LONG FEATHER HEADDRESSES. INSTEAD THEY WORE THEIR BEADED HEADBANDS WITH FEATHERS. SOME MEN PAINTED THEIR FACE THEIR FACES RED AS THEY WENT TO BATTLE. THEY WORE THEIR HAIR LONG AND LOOSE. FRENCH MISSIONARIES COULD NOT TELL MEN AND WOMEN APART BECAUSE THEIR HAIR WAS LONG AND LOOSE. FRENCH MISSIONARIES COULD NOT TELL NOT TELL MEN AND WOMEN APART BECAUSE THEIR HAIR WAS SO LONG! IN THE 1800'S SOME CHIEFS BEGAN WEARING AN IMPRESSIVE FEATHER HEADDRESSES. TODAY SOME PEOPLE STILL WEAR TRADITIONAL MIKMAQ CLOTHING AND THEY WEAR FEATHERS IN THEIR HAIR FOR A DANCE.
THEY WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR BIRCH BARK CANOES WITH AN UPWARD CURVE. IT IS STILL POPULAR TODAY. THEY USE DOGS AS PACK ANIMALS. THEY WERE SEMI-NOMADIC AND DID NOT FORM AND MOVED TO COLLECT FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING LARGE GAME LIKE CARIBOU AND MOOSE. MICMAQ MEN ALSO ALSO WERE ALSO WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING CARIBOU AND MOOSE. MICMAQ MEN ALSO WERE GOOD AT FISHING AND HUNTING. THE MEN HARPOONED SEALS AND WALRUS, AND SOME WHALES. THEY ATE OTHER FOODS SUCH AS BERRIES, SQUASH, AND MAPLE SYRUP. THEY WERE SKILLED AT BEADWORK AND BASKET WEAVING. THEY CARVED BEADS CALLED WAMPUM OF PURPLE AND WHITE SHELL BEADS.
THEY MADE WAMPUM BELTS. THEY WERE GREAT TRADERS, CARRYING GOODS BETWEEN NORTHERN TRIBES LIKE THE INNU, CREE, AND NEW ENGLAND. THEY WERE FIERCE WARRIORS WHO FOUGHT THE IROQUOIS. THEY HAVE MANY LEGENDS AND FAIRY TALES. STORY TELLING IS VERY IMPORTANT. SOME OF THEIR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MANY CONFLICTS OF LAND RIGHTS. THE MI'KMAQ AND OTHER TRIBES TODAY SIGNED TREATIES GIVING UP OWNERSHIP OF THEIR LANDS. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THE MI'KMACS WOULD HAVE FISHING AND HUNTING AND LOGGING RIGHTS. THESE RIGHTS MADE THE ANGLOS ANGRY. THE MI'KMAQS HAD TO PAY FOR THOSE RIGHTS. SOME ANGLOS DESTROYED A NATIVE FISHING AREA AND BURNED A SACRED SITE. THERE IS STILL TENSION THERE.
THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR AT LEAST 10,600 YEARS ACCORDING TO ARCHAEOLOGISTS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND PHYSICAL TRACES. BEFORE 13,000 YEARS AGO NO ONE WAS LIVING HERE AS THE ENTIRE AREA WAS COVERED WITH ICE. THE EARLIEST KNOWN INHABITANTS WERE MAKING WEAPONS, KILLED GAME AND CLEANED HIDES BY AT LEAST 10,000 YEARS AGO AT A CAMP DISCOVERED IN DELBERT, NOVA SCOTIA. EVEN THEN SMALL ICE CAPS COVERED THE MOUNTAINS. LATER THE CLIMATE BECAME WARMER AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORESTS AND ANIMALS APPEARED. THE EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR LESS THAN 500 YEARS.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.ORG
INNU NATION IN NOVA SCOTIA
THIS WEBSITE IS ABOUT PLACE INNU PLACE NAMES IN LABRADOR. PEOPLE OF EVERY CULTURE GIVE NAMES TO PLACES, RIVERS, LANDS, ETC.
FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE GIVE INFORMATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING, OR THEY DESCRIBE THE LAND IN SOME WAY THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE TRAVELING. AN EXAMPLE FROM LABRADOR INNU IS KUKAMSSAT KATAHT MEANING "WHERE THERE ARE TROUT".
THEY GIVE PEOPLE DIRECTION ABOUT WHERE TO GO BY USING PLACE NAMES. IMAGINE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE WHERE TO GO WITHOUT HAVING NAMES OF RIVERS. THESE NAMES ARE USED WHEN TELLING STORIES ABOUT PEOPLES EXPERIENCES ON THE LAND. THE NAMES OF PLACES MAY RECORD SIGNIFICANT EVENTS SUCH AS BIRTHS , DEATHS, AND BURIAL LOCATIONS, CAMPSITES, OR CANOE MAKING, SALMON SPEARING, TRAPPING, PORCUPINE SINGING, CARIBOU HUNTING, AND OTHER FORMS OF LAND USE TOOK PLACE. ASHTUNKNIK, IS THE INNU NAME FOR SMEGANOOK LAKE.
ANOTHER IMMU EXAMPLE IS KAUIPUSHKAKAMAT, WHICH MEANS "BURNT AREA LAKE". THESE NAMES GIVE ARCHAEOLOGISTS CLUES TO IMMU LIFE DURING FUR TRADE PERIOD AS WELL AS BEFORE CONTACT WITH THE ANGLOS. THEY HELP THEM FIND ANCIENT SITES.
SOME PLACE NAMES REFER TO RELIGIOUS EVENTS. AN INNU PLACE WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE WAS ON AN ISLAND NAMED AFTER AN OLD SHAMAN WITH A LONG NAME. PLACE NAMES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A PEOPLE'S SENSE OF PLACE.
IN 2004, PETER ARMITAGE, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ANOTHER PROJECT FOR MAPPING THEIR AREA. AND THEN THEY PUT IT TOGETHER DIGITALLY USING MAP INFORMATION WITH GIS.
NOVASCOTIA.ORG
FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE GIVE INFORMATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING, OR THEY DESCRIBE THE LAND IN SOME WAY THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE TRAVELING. AN EXAMPLE FROM LABRADOR INNU IS KUKAMSSAT KATAHT MEANING "WHERE THERE ARE TROUT".
THEY GIVE PEOPLE DIRECTION ABOUT WHERE TO GO BY USING PLACE NAMES. IMAGINE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE WHERE TO GO WITHOUT HAVING NAMES OF RIVERS. THESE NAMES ARE USED WHEN TELLING STORIES ABOUT PEOPLES EXPERIENCES ON THE LAND. THE NAMES OF PLACES MAY RECORD SIGNIFICANT EVENTS SUCH AS BIRTHS , DEATHS, AND BURIAL LOCATIONS, CAMPSITES, OR CANOE MAKING, SALMON SPEARING, TRAPPING, PORCUPINE SINGING, CARIBOU HUNTING, AND OTHER FORMS OF LAND USE TOOK PLACE. ASHTUNKNIK, IS THE INNU NAME FOR SMEGANOOK LAKE.
ANOTHER IMMU EXAMPLE IS KAUIPUSHKAKAMAT, WHICH MEANS "BURNT AREA LAKE". THESE NAMES GIVE ARCHAEOLOGISTS CLUES TO IMMU LIFE DURING FUR TRADE PERIOD AS WELL AS BEFORE CONTACT WITH THE ANGLOS. THEY HELP THEM FIND ANCIENT SITES.
SOME PLACE NAMES REFER TO RELIGIOUS EVENTS. AN INNU PLACE WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE WAS ON AN ISLAND NAMED AFTER AN OLD SHAMAN WITH A LONG NAME. PLACE NAMES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A PEOPLE'S SENSE OF PLACE.
IN 2004, PETER ARMITAGE, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ANOTHER PROJECT FOR MAPPING THEIR AREA. AND THEN THEY PUT IT TOGETHER DIGITALLY USING MAP INFORMATION WITH GIS.
NOVASCOTIA.ORG
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