Colonization Hits HomeFNAT 102

Lecture

Spring/2010

“In all change there is continuity, and in all tradition there is also change”Marshall (2000)

Change & Continuity are not dichotomous

Outsiders look at post-contact change in our communities as loss of culture and a corresponding loss of distinct identity and rights

If you only focus on change, you only see change Marshall (2000) documents

house changes at Yuqout Shed to gable roof style Multi-family to nuclear family Specialized Feast houses Later disappearance of

Potlatch houses Perry (2003) and Neylan (2000)

examine the missionary effect in community housing change

But continuity was also evident See material culture changes

but the beliefs/social networks remain

Marshall’s myopia Divorces display and

meaning Potlatch/Tamanawas ban

not really examined for effect on material culture

Need full story of the Whaler’s Shrine

Removal & relocation from Yuqout, not abandonment

Social dislocation & reduced means impact feasting

Outward Appearances, Inner Truths Often modified interior of homes

Central fireplaces in large common rooms Connected row houses/partition removal

Developed feast houses and often retained spatial relationships

Though Powell in 1876 said “the Indians of this province are its best consumers” , much of that consumption went to cultural practice not just housing

Conversion (religion & lifestyle) often a means to gain further resources and enable cultural goals

The Missionary’s position Crosby’s division Christian Street

Church, mission buildings, neat row of euro-style houses, streetlights, sidewalks, etc.

Heathen Street Longhouses on the beach,

spatially ranked, totems, smokehouses, etc.

Linked rewards to move

In Service of a Social Order Evangelization and housing reform went

had in hand – targeted many ‘needy’ groups, not just aboriginal people

Industrialization = separation Men/women; public/private; domestic/economic

Houses on reserves in B.C. (1880) 255; (1883) 3391; (1885) 11,509

Schools to train laborers

Shrinking Houses, Declining Health Kelm (1998) links the

move to single family reserve housing to infectious disease spread and infant mortality

Reduced seasonal round also impacted

1942 TB death rate 15X higher

Plank houses superior, less crowded/dank

Reserve locations also an issue eg. Water access

Lingering Disease, Generational Response Population recovery start

ranges from 1920’s to 1940’s

Cultural knowledge becomes highly concentrated and thus elders more precious

Communities become even more pro-natalist in desire to rebuild family, clan and nation strength

Recovery and Remarkable Retention With population growth and

renewed resources Less external restriction Rebuilding of feast houses Extended family still trumps

the nuclear Expanding into returned

lands Health though still lagging is

improving Again consuming within

culture