THE BEOTHUKS

                                               Native Peoples

At the time of European expansion and settlement in Newfoundland, the Beothuks were the native inhabitants of the island. The traditional lifestyle of these aboriginal peoples disintegrated with the influx of Europeans and the Micmacs from Nova Scotia. Initial contacts with these people are recorded as friendly, but misunderstanding and suspicion increased to the point where actual killings occurred on both sides for real or imaginary injustices. Finally starvation was added when the Europeans unknowingly blocked the Beothuks access to the coast and of their traditional livelihood. By the early 1800s the Boathooks had disappeared as a distinct cultural group. Research during the past decade has enabled a partial reconstruction of their culture, language and traditional pattern of life that this tragic historic period closed so quickly and forever.

            As hunters they took full advantage of the abundant food resources on the island seasonally either on the seacoast or the interior forests and barrens. Two major migrations were made each year to hunt and gather resources. Summer and spring meant hunting seals, whales and other sea mammals that were numerous during those times. Thousands of shore and sea birds with their eggs were no doubt another food source. In the fall the family groups moved inland to hunt caribou as the animals herded together to migrate.

            It is likely that family groups coalesced for the caribou hunt and to maintain the ‘deer fences’ that are reported to have stretched for miles. These fences funneled the migrating herds into one area so they could be easily speared. These animals provided skins for clothing and shelter and meat for the winter. Small game such as beaver, fox and ptarmigan supplemented the winter food supply. Winter shelter was provided by mamateeks. Soil was banked against the outside of the teepee to shut out the elements. The external bankings have outlined old mamateeks at several archaeological sites, including the Red Indian Lake and Exploits River sites.

            Because of poor preservability of wood and bone tools in the soil for centuries most artifacts found have been of stone, predominately spear and arrowheads reflecting their hunting activities. Beothuk burial sites have produced leather clothing with frills; birch bark vessels, sometimes with decorative stitching and notched edges, elaborately carved pendants and incised bone and ivory pieces as well as an occasional woodcarving. Metal knives, nails, sword and clay pipes indicate that the Beothuks were in contact with early French and English sailors. Beothuk burials have been found in caves and rock shelters along the numerous bays around the island. Red ochre, symbolic to many cultures as a life-giving force, was used lavishly on the body and articles buried with them. John Cabot described the Beothuks as average height with light brown skin and dark eyes and hair. Lt. Buchan of the Royal Navy added that they painted their bodies with red ochre and grease and this may be the origin of Red Indian. The last known Beothuk died in 1829.