Indigenous Cultures and Trade Practices

Typically located where rivers meet, for efficient canoe-based trade.

Survival, not profit, was the goal of Indigenous trade.

Goods exchanged without currency, fostering alliances.

Revenge for the death of a family member.

Corn, beans, squash, and tobacco were traded by the Iroquois.

Aboriginal people had a deep respect and connection to nature, as the foundation of their world view.

Aboriginal people sometimes replaced a deceased family member, showing bravery.

Prisoners were sometimes tortured, but were expected to show courage.

Aboriginal spirituality, known as animism, assigned a spirit to all things in nature (living and non-living).

Aboriginal Circle of Life included all elements of the universe, living and non-living, seen as equal.

A pipe used in shamanistic rituals to release smoke, connecting the physical world with the spirit world.

The sound produced by drums and chanting is believed to attract spirits and facilitate communication with them.

A woven object designed to catch dreams, believed to channel good dreams and ward off bad spirits.

Small objects worn for protection against illness, danger, and evil spirits, often used by hunters to gain favor from animal spirits.

Shamans possess special powers, including communicating with spirits, predicting the future, interpreting dreams, and healing.

The passing down of stories, myths, and history through spoken word, particularly important for cultures without writing systems.

The preservation and transmission of a culture's values, beliefs, and practices across generations.

Elders in tribes played a crucial role in preserving cultural knowledge by telling stories and teaching younger generations.

Stories were not just entertainment; they served as a vital tool for education, social unity, and cultural preservation.

Oral tradition ensured that cultural knowledge, traditions, and values were passed down from one generation to the next.

A rite of passage for Algonquian/Iroquois boys to become men, involving a solitary spiritual experience where they sought guidance from a spirit animal.

The animal spirit that appeared to a boy during a Vision Quest. It would protect him throughout his life, influencing his personality and social role.

An Indigenous fundamental value emphasizing the importance of protecting and defending one's society and community.

An important part of the circle of life, emphasizing the continuous exchange of goods and fostering strong social bonds.

A fundamental value emphasizing the inherent worth and freedom of all individuals, regardless of their social status.