Subarctic |
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The subarctic region includes many nations dispersed over a vast territory that stretches from the Atlantic ocean to Alaska. Among them are the Algonquians. In an environment that varies from the boreal forest to the plains, these populations lived as small semi-nomadic groups. Following a seasonal cycle to benefit from hunting, fishing and gathering, they traveled between a winter camp inland and a summer camp near a shoreline. Considering the importance of hunting, each band was composed of a group of hunters from the same family and their families lead by an elder recognized for his hunting habilities and his good judgment. In these equalitarian societies where sharing work and resources was a matter of survival, each decision was taken unanimously for the good of all. A detailed knowledge of the environment and its resources allowed to use the best of each territory and each season while preserving a balance among all living things.
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Wigwam model
Materials: wood, bark, leather Size: 8 x 8 inches The wigwam is the typical dwelling of Algonquian people. This conical or spherical tent was made from birch bark for a family of 3 to 5 people. The durability of the material allowed to carry it from one camp to another and could also be used to make a variety of other objects such as canoes and containers. |
Crooked knife
Materials: wood, nylon, steel Size: 10 inches The crooked knife made from a recycled piece of steel was mainly a woodworking tool. It was used to make utensils, snowshoes, tobbogans, canoes and many other objects. |
Sewing kit
Materials: deer bone Size (max): 5 inches Leather clothing was essential to the survival of north-eastern population who had to face harsh winters. Deer skins were generally tanned and sewn with bone tools made from the by-product of the hunt. |
Axe
Materials: wood, stone Size: 2 feet Stone axes required a considerable effort to cut down a tree and were sometimes used with fire to make work easier. It was an essential tool for the construction of dwellings and other wooden objects. |
Miniature canoe
Materials: wood, plant fibre, bark, pitch Size: 1 foot The birch bark canoe was an essential means of transportation for the nomadic lifestyle. Miniature canoes served as toys to teach the construction techniques of lifesize canoes. |
Fish hook
Materials: wood, bone, rawhide Size: 3 inches Fish hooks are probably the most ancient fishing instrument. This Naskapi hook was used to catch trout with a meat bait. |
Leister spear
Materials: wood, bone, plant fibre Size (head): 20 inches This type of harpoon is used to catch eels during migration season. The middle point spears the fish while the side hooks heep it from escaping. |
Netting tools
Material: wood Size: max 6 inches The main netting tool is a needle shaped like a shuttle while a gauge is used as a measuring stick to keep the mesh even and of proper size. A spool is sometimes used to storage the string. |
Pin and ring game
Materials: birch cambium and wood, leather Size: stick 8 inches The Atikamekw pin and ring game is a game of dexterity whose objective is to toss the rings in the air and catch with the stick as many as possible and/or a hole of the leather pad according to a set of rules. |
Gouge
Materials: wood, beaver incisor, pitch, rawhide Size: 5 inches During the pre-colonial, beaver incisors were mainly used for wood work, probably as gouges for carving hollow objects like utensils. |
Decoy
Material: cattail leaves Size: 13 inches Cattail decoys were used fo duck hunting. They were set on water while hunters were hiding nearby to catch passing ducks with harpoon or nets. |
Hoof rattle
Materials: wood, deer hooves, hemp Size: 12 inches This rattle is made from a carved branch to which is attached a series of deer hooves. When the hooves collide by motion they produce a sharp rythmic noise to accompany songs or dances. |
Cradleboard
Materials: wood, rawhide, fabric, leather Size: 28 inches x 12 inches The cradleboard was essential to nomadic people who had to travel often but also for sedentary people who didn’t have furniture. |