Natives and Newcomers: Canada's "Heroic Age" ReconsideredAccording to conventional nineteenth-century wisdom, societies of European origin were naturally progressive; native societies were static. One consequence of this attitude was the almost universal separation of history and anthropology. Today, despite a growing interest in changes in Amerindian societies, this dichotomy continues to distort the investigation of Canadian history and to assign native peoples only a marginal place in it. Natives and Newcomers discredits that myth. In a spirited and critical re-examination of relations between the French and the Iroquoian-speaking inhabitants of the St Lawrence lowlands, from the incursions of Jacques Cartier through the explorations of Samuel de Champlain and the Jesuit missions into the early years of the royal regime, Natives and Newcomers argues that native people have played a significant role in shaping the development of Canada. Trigger also shows that the largely ignored French traders and their employees established relations with native people that were indispensable for founding a viable European colony on the St Lawrence. The brisk narrative of this period is complemented by a detailed survey of the stereotypes about native people that have influenced the development of Canadian history and anthropology and by candid discussions of how historical, ethnographical, and archaeological approaches can and cannot be combined to produce a more rounded and accurate understanding of the past. Bruce G. Trigger is Professor of Anthropology, McGill University |
Contents
The Indian Image in Canadian | 3 |
Parkman and American | 9 |
Before History | 50 |
The Approach of the Europeans | 111 |
Early European Contact | 118 |
Traders and Colonizers | 164 |
Trade and Warfare 16001615 | 172 |
Missionaries 200 | 183 |
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Common terms and phrases
Algonkins alliance anthropology appear archaeological archaeologists artifacts attack beaver became behaviour believed Biggar Canada Cartier Champlain chiefs Christian colony Compagnie des Cent-Associés confederacy copper Dutch early eastern North America economic English epidemics ethnohistory European contact evidence France French traders fur trade Glen Meyer Hence historians historical hunting Huron country Hurons ibid Indians interpreted intertribal Iroquoian culture Iroquois Iroquois tribes Jesuits large numbers later Lawrence Iroquoians lived major Micmacs Middle Woodland mission missionaries Mohawks Montagnais Montreal native cultures neighbouring Neutrals nineteenth century Oneidas Onondagas Ottawa Valley patterns peace period Petuns population pottery prehistoric prior protohistoric Quebec Quinn raid Recollets region religious remained result rituals role Senecas settlement seventeenth century Simcoe County sixteenth century social societies sought southern Ontario St Lawrence Iroquoians St Lawrence lowlands St Lawrence River St Lawrence Valley suggests Susquehannocks Tadoussac Thwaites trading company traditional tribal Trigger Trois-Rivières Trudel villages warfare winter Woodland period York