article

Local band organization of the Caribou-eater Chipewyan

Arctic anthropology13 (1) • Published In 1976 • Pages: 12-24

By: Smith, James G. E..

Abstract
This is a historical look at Chipewyan band organization based on archival material and the author's own fieldwork. The Chipewyan social aggregations have varied greatly over time from extended family 'task groups' to gatherings of several hundred persons. Smith accounts for each variation in terms of seasonal cycles, historical migrations, the influence of the fur trade, and growing presence of Eurocanadian institutions. A point he emphasizes is that the bilateral kinship system of the Chipewyan allows for extensive kin networks, which can support social groupings of varying size.
Subjects
History
Annual cycle
Hunting and trapping
External trade
Extended families
Kin relationships
Rule of descent
External relations
culture
Chipewyans
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1999
Field Date
1967-1973
Coverage Date
1715-1974
Coverage Place
north-central Canada
Notes
James G. E. Smith
Includes bibliographical references (p. 23-24)
LCCN
sf 78000711
LCSH
Chipewyan Indians