Canada

III: Canadian Culture

Québec's Native Peoples

Introduction:
Native peoples have played an important role in the history of Canada and are an integral part of Canadian heritage. There are cultural connections between native peoples in Canada and the United States, although these groups may be called by different names. Use the links that follow to explore the native peoples of Canada and Québec.

Resources:
(Links will open in new windows.)

Wherever possible, the Web sites included are created by native peoples. All the links will take students to historical or cultural information or links to this type of information.

Maps
Excellent map of the aboriginal peoples of Québec from the Secrétariat Aux Affaires Autochtones

Another excellent map showing all First Nations peoples in Québec.

The Canada Atlas' map of the North American Indian population.

Historical, political and cultural maps of native peoples in North America

Aboriginal communities of Canada as seen in Google Earth.

Albenakis Nation
Abenakis Indian Fact Sheet

Algonquin Nation
History of the Algonquin Nation
Algonquin Cultural Center Page

Atikamekw Nation
Atikamekw Nation Web site (in French)

Cree Nation
Cree Cultural Institute
Cree Nation of Wemindji

Innu Nation (formerly known as Montagnais or Naskapi)
Innu History and Culture

Inuit of Nunavik
Inuit Life in Nunavik

Mi'kmaq or Micmac Nation
Nova Scotia Archives & Records Management: Mi'kmaq Holdings Resource Guide

Mohawk Nation
Mohawks of Kahnawake

Naskapi Nation
The Naskapi Nation History
The Naskapi Nation Crafts
The Naskapi Nation Clothing
The Naskapi Nation Tools

General First Nations Resources
Echoes from the Past is a thorough and fascinating exhibit at the Canadian Virtual Museum about pre-historic life in Canada. It focuses on many First Nations peoples.

Canada's First Nations is a “multimedia tutorial [that] focuses on the histories of Canada's First Nations peoples from ancient times to the nineteenth century. This module provides examples of creation myths and it examines scientific theories of when and how people migrated to the North American continent. This tutorial profiles the lifeways of Canada 's First Nations peoples, outlining the cultures and languages of the Native groups inhabiting the northern lands of this continent. It also examines the economic, political, and social impact of European contact. Finally, this module looks at the reasons the First Nations and the Government of Canada negotiated and signed treaties, the terms of these treaties, and how all parties reacted to them.”

The Aboriginal Cultures and Traditions Storytelling Web site includes many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit stories, and profiles of aboriginal storytellers.

Aboriginal Cultures in Canada

The Indian and Northern Affairs Kid's Stop offers stories, lessons, history and games to teach children about Canada's native peoples.