article

The Cree of Canada: some ecological and evolutionary considerations

Western Canadian journal of anthropology • 1 (1) • Published In 1969 • Pages: 7-19

By: Fisher, Anthony Dwight.

Abstract

According to Fisher the socio-cultural evolution, or lack thereof, of Cree societies is related to three variables of social, ecological, and historical significance. The small family hunting group or band and its pattern of social relations based upon 'affinal dualism', the ecological necessities in terms of size and mobility, and the limited extensions of family kin ties is one such set of phenomena. Another set has to do with the nature of the great subarctic 'belt' and the micro-environments within it, with the cyclical or changing nature of resources therein, and limits imposed upon the assembling of large groups of people by the seasonal climatic conditions. Finally, the historical processes of mobility, an evermore prescriptive relationship between environment, Indian, and fur trader, plus disease as an ecological variable, also had their effect upon the evolution of the Cree (p. 16). How these factors are interrelated are described by the author in the text of this document.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 2006

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatechewan, Alberta, Canada

Notes

A. D. Fisher

Special issue: Cree studies

Includes bibliographical references (p. 17-19)

LCCN

75017273

LCSH

Cree Indians