Abstract This paper discusses the topic of acculturation among the Cree of the Subarctic. It demonstrates that the fur trade had less of an impact on the Cree than other groups who were exposed to more direct contact with the Europeans. In the area of James Bay, acculturative processes appear to have been gradual rather than sudden and dramatic.
From the Paper "The accounts of early missionaries and traders cannot be trusted, especially on the subject of subsistence, as they are often ambiguous and ethnocentric. Fur traders' journals overuse words such as "starve", creating misleading impressions (Black-Rogers, 1986). Analysis of these journals soon makes obvious that starving came in a number of different varieties. It is necessary to consider the context in which they were written as the intended meaning could be either literal, technical, or manipulative. In many cases, natives and their families were not starving at all. Meaning could be further confused if a trader was reporting what was actually said by a native as opposed to what he observed. It was sometimes customary in native culture to claim to be starving, in an effort to portray humbleness."
Abstract This paper provides information shared between two friends, a Cree Indian from Canada and a Nigerian. It describes the writers' backgrounds and their various cultures. The paper focuses on two very important aspects of their cultures - one being dance as it relates to their relevant religions and the other being the social order of their cultures and societies.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Outing
My Culture: Cree My partner's culture: Nigeria
Cultural Exchange
Beliefs, Values and Assumptions
Ambassador Comments
Examples Of An Open Question To Further Conversation
Examples Of Closed-Ended Questions To Prompt For Specifics
Use Of Body Language And Expression
Examples Of Stating What Was Heard
Active Listening
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is also important to realize that we can learn a lot from other cultures. For example, we can learn from a culture that may be more relaxed and less stressful about daily activities. It may be helpful for people in the United States to take an hour break after lunch to relax rather than going back to work right away as some cultures do."
"We all talk about the world becoming flatter, and communication between countries expanding through the Internet and other such vehicles. Soon, it will not matter where you live in relationship to someone else. You will be able to communicate as easily with that person across the world as someone next door. It is hoped that this will make the world a better place with more understanding. Many of the problems that exist between countries are due to the fear of something different. Once one sees how similar a group of people are, this mistrust can go away along with all the negative effects this has."
Abstract This paper examines the impact of the global market on the James Bay Cree in northern Canada. It examines the way hydroelectric power drew them into the world market after 1960 and the impact it has had on their social organization and culture.
Abstract This paper helps the reader to see the cultures of the Inuit and the Cree of Mistassini at the micro level, in the light of the "total institutions" described by Goffman in "Asylums". (1991) When describing social establishments of the kind, Goffman comments that, "every institution captures something of the time and interest of its members and provides something of a world for them; in brief, every institution has encompassing tendencies". (1991, 15) Current industrialized societies have a way of compartmentalizing different aspects of human life and interaction. (1991, 17).
Abstract This paper discusses the power struggle that ensued between native tribes and European settlers during the late 19th century. The author discusses the underlying causes that drove both the Cree and the government of Canada to seek peaceful alliance, the great differences in culture and consciousness between the natives and the European descendents and the discrepancies between the promises made by the Commissioners of Treaty Six and the realities experienced by the Cree.
From the Paper "In September of 1870 the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) transferred the empire of Rupert's Land and the North West Territories to the Government of Canada. The government sought to enlarge the Dominion of Canada and encourage settlement to the west, though before this was possible a new alliance had to be formed with the Cree Nation, the Plains Crees, and the Wood Crees. Treaty Six was negotiated in 1876 and involved the title to 121,000 square miles of Saskatchewan and the welfare of 7000 Indians and 2000 half-breeds."
Abstract This paper presents a review of Toby Morantz's "The White Man's Gonna Getcha: The Colonial Challenge to the Crees in Quebec" (2002). It focuses on the author's dual themes of Canadian internal colonialism and Cree survival.
Abstract This paper discusses the novel "Kiss of the Fur Queen" by Tomson Highway. It discusses the unusual way that Highway manages to fuse the essentially European novel with a way of thinking and story-telling that are essentially Cree. The paper discusses the author's use of language throughout the novel.
From the Paper "Kiss of the Fur Queen In the novel Kiss of the Fur Queen, Tomson Highway does an unusual and difficult thing. He sets out to fuse an art form that is quintessentially European, i.e. the novel, with ways of thinking and story-telling that are quintessentially Cree. As the blurb on the back cover states, "Tomson Highway writes in English, but he dreams in Cree." Highway succeeds with this difficult and complex artistic device. Part of his success may be traced to the deft way in which he uses the Fur Queen of the title. It should first be noted that the novel's title refers to the kiss of the Fur Queen. "
Abstract This paper examines the important contributions of women economically, domestically, and even politically to the Cree peoples of the Hudson Bay lowlands and to the Hidatsa peoples of the Western United States and Canada. The paper asks why and how these two groups of women came to assume enormous importance if not power in their respective cultures despite being largely consigned to domestic chores.
From the Paper "A Comparison of the Aboriginal Women of the Hudson Bay Lowland Cree and the Western Canadian and Northern Plains Hidatsa The aboriginal women of the Hudson Bay lowland Cree and the aboriginal women of the Northern Plains' Hidatsa share some similarities - but several differences, as well. The following paper will examine their respective social positions, their respective contributions, political influence, economic contributions and the impact they had upon their particular societies. More importantly, the succeeding paper will explore not only how, but why, the women of these two groups came to assume such enormous power in their aboriginal cultures - even if it may be said that the Cree culture was somewhat more patriarchal than its Hidatsa counterpart. In any event, as the next several pages should show, it is arguable - especially in the case of the Hidatsa - that the division of power within aboriginal society, far from marginalizing native women, gave them great power and importance."
From the Paper "Even before the 1600s, before the introduction of the fur trade in North America, the Chippewa and Cree tribes resembled each other culturally, linguistically and geographically, give or take a few hundred miles. They controlled areas in the Great Lakes region up to the southern edge of the Hudson Bay Company hunting, fishing, trading, warring with other Indian tribes and harvesting small crops of maize and wild rice. The European fur trade, made particularly competitive by the establishment of the Hudson Bay Company in 1670, pushed both tribes westward in their quest of furs which the Indians traded for guns, alcohol, and horses around the end of the 18th century. But as the furs depleted in the east and northcentral part of the continent and ?the Great White Father,? and ?her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland,? extended their reach further into North America, the tribes felt even more pressure to migrate West."
Abstract This paper is a summary and analysis of the themes and arguments presented by Adelson. The Cree concept of well-being is discussed in all its aspects, and lessons about culturally appropriate health care are discussed.
