Early Relations
In the past 500 years,
Aboriginal people have seen their populations decline and
change, and their economies weakened. They have seen their
political systems challenged by new governments, and their
religions by new beliefs. They have adapted their forms of art
to confront new realities. They have affirmed and reaffirmed
their cultural identities and connection to the land. All of
these issues were foreshadowed in their early relations with
Europeans.
By the end of the 1800s, there were few Aboriginal people in
Canada who had not felt the impact of the newcomers.
Necklace
Coast Tsimshian
Undated
Glass trade beads and cotton ribbon
Canadian Museum of Civilization, VII-C-1512 e,
D2002-013105, CD2002-244-015
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Stretched pelt
Innu (Montagnais)
1992
Prepared by William-Mathieu Mark
Beaver pelt, wood and twine
Canadian Museum of Civilization, III-C-596, CD95-754-076
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