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There are five (5) First Nation groups in Manitoba.
They are the Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Ojibway-Cree, and Dene. These five groups of First Nations People have distinct territories throughout Manitoba.
The five First Nations are part of three (3) linguistic groups. The Dene are part of the Athapaskan group which extends from the northern portion of western provinces to the territories. The Dene are also related to the Apache and Navajo peoples in the southwestern United States. The Athapaskan peoples speak similar languages and some of the key words are very similar. The Dakota are part of the Siouan group which live primarily in the southern regions of western provinces and throughout the north central parts of the United States. The Cree, Ojibway and Ojibway-Cree are part of the largest linguistic grouping in North America - the Algonquian peoples. The Algonquian peoples live in all of the Canadian provinces and northern and northeastern parts of the States. There are also Algonquian people living in California and Mexico. Each group had distinctive territorial boundaries which were respected by other First Nations. The Cree territory covers some of the northern parts of the central States, parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec while the Ojibway-Cree are primarily in the north-western part of Ontario and north-eastern corner of Manitoba. The Ojibway peoples now live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Each of these groups speak a distinct language and have a different culture based on their traditions, history and geographical locations. For example, the Cree have several distinct cultures depending on their geographical location - there are Woodlands Cree, Swampy Cree, Plains Cree and James Bay Cree. The lifestyle of each group is different as each has adapted to their local environment. The types of local wildlife impacted on food, clothing and shelter. For example, the Plains Cree adapted to their environment by using the buffalo for much of their food, clothing and shelter therefore they would eat buffalo meat, wear clothing made of buffalo skins, and build conical shaped dwellings called tipis which were covered by buffalo hide. However, other Cree groups relied more on fish and other small game so this affected their diet, how they dressed and how they lived. The Woodlands Cree built dome-shaped dwellings made of small trees and covered with furs from local wildlife. The Ojibway also built different types of dwellings - such as dome and conical-shaped dwellings. Each group adapted to their local environment and the materials that were available. Most First Nations peoples tried to ensure that their homes were located in a good location with shelter from the elements, proximity to water and easy access to wildlife, plants and building materials. Many of the First Nations people moved frequently to ensure harmony with nature and to avoid over-taxing the natural resources of a particular area. There were many unwritten rules and regulations for ensuring the maintenance of the Cycle of Harmony. Children were taught these rules from an early age as these were crucial to survival of all living things. Respect for all life was the cornerstone of First Nations philosophy. The life of human beings was no greater or less than the life of other living things - whether they be animal, plants, trees, land, air, water or other entities. A person was expected to give thanks on a daily basis for using the local resources. For whatever you took, you were expected to give something in return. If you did not pay for something right away, you or someone else close to you would eventually pay the price. This was a necessary process for ensuring harmony and this was reflected in the treaty-making process. Prior to European contact, treaties regarding peace, trade, land and resource use were made between different First Nations groups. These treaties were often verbal but everyone understood what terms and conditions were included. Mutual respect was the cornerstone of these agreements. Starting in the early 1870's, the Manitoba First Nations signed treaties with representatives of the English monarch. The rights arising from these treaties include education and health. The benefits to non-First Nations included the right to live in traditional First Nation territories. The First Nations agreed to share the land with the newcomers in exchange for promises that the needs of future generations would be taken care of. The First Nations philosophy of maintaining harmony formed the basis of these agreements. If you give something, then you will get something else in return. The treaties are considered sacred documents by the First Nations peoples of Manitoba. The Elders have passed on their recollections of the treaty negotiations through oral history. Some Elders have said that what was written did not include everything that was agreed to by the negotiators. NOTE: For more information on Treaties, please click here to get to "First Nations treaties with the British Crown" and "Treaty Specifics" articles. Early written historical records primarily focus on the role First Nations people had in the fur trade or in relations with the Europeans. Most historical records are written with a Euro-Canadian bias but there are now some historical records being developed by Native people. What is necessary for a more accurate picture of First Nations history is an examination of what has been written and looking at history from a non-biased perspective. Some First Nations communities are now starting to record oral history to provide a more balanced view of what has happened and to understand the historical factors that continue to impact on First Nations lives. It is important to remember that decisions by non-First Nations have made a significant impact on the lives of First Nations peoples today. Twenty years after initial contact with the First Nations, the Spaniards had a debate on whether First Nations peoples were human beings with souls. In 1512, Pope Julius II issued a decree affirming the humanity of First Nations. This eventually resulted in a struggle by different religious groups for the souls of First Nations peoples. In 1670, the English King Charles II gave the Hudson's Bay Company a monopoly of trading in the Hudson's Bay area and a proprietary claim to Rupertsland. The charter included the rights to trade, make treaties and laws, and defend the territory. The First Nations people of the region were very upset when they learned of this decision as they felt the Hudson's Bay Company had no right to claim ownership of their traditional territories. From the 1600's to the mid-1800's, First Nations peoples were involved in the Fur Trade. There were several forts established near Manitoba First Nations settlements. These forts were operated by the Northwest Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. First Nations peoples traded furs in exchange for European goods such as tea, sugar, flour, woven cloth, tools and other utensils. During this period, First Nations were considered to have played a critical role in the economy of the country. However, this changed with the influx of more European immigrants into First Nation traditional territories. The missionaries also started arriving in the Manitoba region in the early 1800's in the quest for souls. Over the next century and a half, schools were established and controlled by the churches which often focused more on religious than academic teachings. Recent testimony by many First Nations people have shown that there were many negative impacts resulting from the residential and industrial religious schools. The physical, mental and emotional abuse experienced by students led to a loss of identity, language, and understanding of cultural traditions and practices. Many former students still suffer from low self-esteem and pride which has contributed to the low socio-economic status of First Nations peoples. In 1867, the British North America Act was established which stated that Indians and lands reserved for Indians would be under federal authority. In the late 1870's, the federal government developed the Indian Act which governed almost all aspects of the lives of First Nations peoples. There are now 62 First Nations communities in Manitoba - many of these communities operate based on the clauses contained in the Indian Act. Each of these communities has an elected Chief and several Band Councillors. Although many of these communities are in economically-impoverished areas, there are several new successful businesses and commercial enterprises. Examples of Manitoba First Nations success stories include the Otineka Mall, a business venture of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation; and the Buffalo Point International Resort. Many First Nations communities in Manitoba today also have increasing levels of control over education, health, social services and economic development. The Manitoba First Nations signed the Framework Agreement Initiative in 1994 which will eventually see decisions being made by First Nations themselves rather than the Canadian federal government which currently develops policies and rules and regulations for them to follow. The outcome of the Initiative will lead to the exercise of jurisdiction by the First Nations of Manitoba.
This code describes what wisdom means in the relationship between individuals, in family life and in the life of community. What follows is a summary of some of the most important of these teachings that are universal to all nations.
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