History
Contact With Other Groups
Due to their isolation on the island, the Beothuks had little to no contact with other tribes. This was both an advantage and disadvantage to their group, because although they did not have to battle for their territory, it also meant they could not trade for other resources, and were limited mostly to what was on the island. However, there was little want for the Beothuk to trade anyway, as they could find all of the essentials they needed either on the island or in the water.
Political Organization
There were only about 750 Beothuks who lived on what is now the island of Newfoundland, so it made little sense for them to have a formal government like we have today. Instead they traveled in groups of thirty to thirty-five and had what they called “band leaders”, who were usually chosen for their wisdom or skill. The Beothuk were very fair in choosing their leaders, as people had to earn the right to rule, and could not inherit power like in other cultures. Leaders could also be men or women, which suggests they had equal rights and judged people not on how they appeared, but on what they did. However, most decisions were still made by what the majority wanted, so everyone had a say in what they should do.
Art and Leisure
The Beothuk were best known for their use of red ochre, which was used to paint not just themselves, but also their houses, weapons, and instruments. They made it by taking a mineral called hematite and mixing it with fat, which created a type of red paint. It was most commonly used in a multi-day celebration that took place in the spring, and is thought to have been the origin of the name “red Indians”, which was given to them by the Europeans. The red ochre was not just for decoration though, as it held a much more symbolic meaning to their people.
Wearing it represented the right to belong in a tribe, and if someone committed an offense, they could be punished by losing the right to wear it.
Wearing it represented the right to belong in a tribe, and if someone committed an offense, they could be punished by losing the right to wear it.
Bibliography
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beothuk_people#History_and_culture
heritage.nf.ca/aboriginal/beo_culture.html
http://www.crossroadsforcultures.ca/beothuks/index.php?narId=44&language=en
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beothuk_people#History_and_culture
heritage.nf.ca/aboriginal/beo_culture.html
http://www.crossroadsforcultures.ca/beothuks/index.php?narId=44&language=en