In the 15th century, Christopher Columbus discovered America, but at first he assumed that he was in India. It is for this reason that the indigenous inhabitants of those lands began to be called "Indians." Immigrants from Europe brought to the American mainland not only unprecedented goods, products and progress, but also terrible diseases (smallpox, measles, flu), to which the Indians did not have immunity. Most of the indigenous people died in the struggle for survival, while others were expelled from their habitats on the reservation, which they still live on. Due to the fact that the Indians still live in their communities, they were able to partially preserve the ancient customs and traditions, their native language and an established way of life.
A bit about the history of the Indian tribes
Indians in Canada have lived since ancient times. Each tribe spoke its own language and had its own culture. In total, there were about 2,200 different peoples in America, and today there are just over 1,000 left. Many Indian tribes were at enmity with each other and waged constant internecine wars. The main occupations of the indigenous peoples of Canada were: hunting for bison, fishing, and farming. After the Europeans brought the Indians weapons and horses, it became much easier for them to hunt animals.
Indian genocide
Many scholars believe that Europeans sought to specifically exterminate the indigenous people of Canada. But others disagree with them. An indisputable fact is that after the discovery of America by Columbus, the number of Indian tribes (according to some sources) decreased by dozens of times. But the indigenous people of Canada also died due to diseases that were imported from the Old World. We must not forget about the constant internecine wars, which practically did not stop between individual tribes. The issue of genocide of the Indian peoples is still open, but it is very controversial.
Indian life in canada today
A census conducted in 2006 shows that just over 700,000 Indians live in Canada. All of them live in reservations, where all the necessary conditions for life are created. Although the Indians are still limited in rights: they are not allowed to sell their houses, move to a new place of residence, they are forbidden to do business. They do not have the opportunity to get a decent education and find a prestigious job. In this regard, many Indians are still engaged in activities familiar from ancient times: hunting, fishing, and farming. Many receive benefits from the Government of Canada, but they become addicted to alcohol and drugs because of hopelessness.
It should be noted that over the past 25 years, infant mortality has decreased significantly, so the population of Indians in Canada has increased markedly.
The most famous Native American tribes of Canada
Each region of Canada has different tribes. They differed in languages, traditions, occupation. Hurons, Iroquois, Algonquins, Nutka, Mohawks, and many other tribes that have lived in Canada since ancient times are part of the general group - “Indians”. At the lakes in Canada there were numerous settlements, the inhabitants of which were engaged in agriculture, hunting, trade and fishing. Others lived in the eastern forests, as well as in the north of the country. Nomadic tribes moved from place to place, and the sedentary built large villages, erected wooden houses.
The Iroquois are tribes of the Indians who had well-developed agriculture. They cultivated corn, legumes and much more. They were very hostile to other nations, often waged war with the Algonquins, Hurons, Mohicans. In the XVI century, the Iroquois League was created - a union of kindred tribes. In the XVII century, their number was only about 25,000 people, which is very small compared to other large language groups. Due to the continuous wars and diseases brought by Europeans, their number was constantly decreasing.
In northern Canada lived the ancestors of the Eskimos who came there from Chukotka. They mainly hunted walruses and deer. The descendants of these tribes call themselves "Inuit." They live in autonomous territories and receive subsidies from the Government of Canada.
Algonquins lived in the eastern forests. This is a large tribe of Indians, which belongs to the Algonkin language group. According to scientists, before the advent of Europeans, their number was about 6,000 people. The Algonquins were constantly at odds with the Iroquois. To date, the descendants of this tribe live on ten reservations in Canada. Their number is 11,000 people.
The Hurons were a union of five tribes. They lived in a vast territory in the Great Lakes region. By the way, the word "Huron" refers to both the Indian and the lake in Canada. These tribes led a sedentary lifestyle and built rather large and fortified villages. They were mainly engaged in fishing and farming, believed in the existence of spirits and professed shamanism. The language of the Huron Indians is lost in our time, but the descendants of these peoples live in Canada today.
Ancient customs, languages and traditions
Some ancient languages of the Indians have survived to this day. In general, scientists distinguish about 200 language families. Many tribes are completely extinct, and their languages are lost forever.
The Indians of Canada, who live on reservations, still celebrate ancient holidays. In early August, for example, "Pow-Wow" is held - a bright, colorful festival, which attracts Indians from all over North America. Tourists and local residents of Canada during the festival can enjoy incendiary dances and see with their own eyes the colorful national costumes of the indigenous people of these lands. During the "Pow-Wow" there is also a fair where everyone can buy souvenirs and goods made by the hands of the Indians.
The holiday has a sacred origin, it begins with prayer. During the opening, you can see the legendary drumming, circular dances and Native American songs, which are very difficult for Europeans to understand, because they are not sung in rhythm.
National Indian cuisine
Native American cuisine is very diverse. Different language groups have their own taste preferences and favorite dishes. But since ancient times, American Indians have always had turkey meat, corn, potatoes, legumes, and pumpkin in their diets. Spicy dishes are not popular. Indians use wild ginger and juniper as seasonings. Indigenous peoples of Canada have always eaten meat, and life without it was considered inferior. However, the Indians were very kind to the killed animals. It is known, for example, that before the hunt they certainly prayed and apologized in advance for the murder.
In the spring, Indian tribes collected maple juice from which they made syrup. You can try it now at the fair during the Pow-Wow. In addition, at the festival you can eat fried bread - a ritual dish of the Indians.
Religion
Most of the American Indians professed shamanism. They believed in the power of spirits, in the supernatural abilities of animals. The Indians had special ideas about the afterlife: they believed that a person after death continues to live the same as on earth. The indigenous peoples of Canada did not have temples or special places for prayer. Today, the culture and characteristics of the beliefs of many tribes are forever lost, but on the reservations you can find Indians who honor the memory of their ancestors and the ancient traditions of their people.
Reservations
Canada is a highly developed country, the main principle of which is the equal rights of all citizens.
It is located in the north of North America. Canada ranks second in the world (in the first - Russia) in terms of the size of the occupied territory. Native American tribes have lived in this country since ancient times, but after the arrival of Europeans, they were forced to leave their homes. In the 19th century, the Canadian government decided to relocate all Indians on the reservation.
There they live to this day. Their settlements are strikingly different from each other. In some ways, people are literally fighting for their existence, have problems with clean water, heating and gas. Other reservations include modern homes, institutions and hospitals.
Conclusion
When you read adventure books about the cruel customs and traditions of the Indians (for example, about removing the scalp from the enemy), it becomes creepy. This seems to be all fiction. However, such tribes existed in reality. Many of them were very belligerent and constantly exterminated their neighbors in order to take possession of new territories. Other tribes lived quite calmly, were engaged in agriculture, raised cattle, hunted. But with the advent of Europeans to America, the life of the Indians changed dramatically, and they had to fight for their rights, for the future in their native territories.