THE ALGONQUIN PEOPLES Housing For most of the

THE ALGONQUIN PEOPLES

Housing For most of the year they lived in small huts called “wigwams”. They used fir braches as flooring and a strip of leather for the door.

Clothing The Algonquin mainly used animal skin as clothing. Deerskin was used most of the time because of its abundance. They also sometimes used caribou skin for clothes. Moccasins made from deer hide This robe is made from caribou skin

Subsistence The Algonquin were hunter gatherers, which meant they relied on edible plants and animals in the area where they lived. they caught a variety of animals and also grew some plants. In the winter, the Algonquin often had to move To follow the animals they lived off of. They were A nomadic folk and usually lived in temporary Homes. The most important animal to them was The deer because they could make clothing out of it And also eat it.

Tools And Weapons The Algonquin used spears, fishing nets, traps, and bow and arrow to hunt animals. They also used canoes to for fishing, they made armguards to protect them while they hunted. Some hunting tools the Algonquin used An Algonquin Canoe

Habitat Most of the population is in Quebec and Eastern Ontario. Today there are 9 communities in Quebec and only 1 in Ontario. The Algonquins were a nomadic people and lived off the land, traveling with the animals they hunted. There are more than 30 different tribes just in Canada.

Cultural Artifacts This is a talking stick used in some of their ceremonies This is a Wampum Belt. They are rectangular and are made from beads wrapped around wool string. This is a Regalia. It is a traditional dress they use for ceremonies and dances.

Social Organisation (Kinship) The Algonquins were a Patriarchal society which means that families were attached by the father’s side. The territorial hunting grounds were handed down from father to son and the woman would always go to stay with her husband. Grandfather Grandmother Mother Wife Daughter goes to live with her husband The Son’s wife will move into the family Father Son Daughter The daughter will leave the family to join her husband

Leadership and Government The title of chief was also handed down. However, the chief did not impose his rules on others, he rather acted as a spokesperson. Decision making involved all people and the decisions were not finalised until a consensus was reached. In this sense, the workings of the tribe was very much democratic even if the leader was decided in a patriarchal manner.

Customs and Beliefs The Algonquians put the fleur-de-lis on their baskets as a sign of their friendship with the French. If I child fell ill, they would be wrapped in white deerskin. They believed that the colour white could chase away evil spirits and make the child feel better. The Algonquians also possesed dyes, although they were very hard to obtain. They used them only on the most special occasions, when they painted their faces and bodies.