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Culture loss and culture change among the Micmac of the Canadian Maritime Provinces 1912-1950

Kroeber Anthropological Society papers (8) • Published In 1953 • Pages: 100-129

By: Wallis, Wilson D. (Wilson Dallam), Wallis, Ruth Sawtell.

Abstract
This paper was written in an attempt to study the extensiveness of culture loss in Micmac society over a period of thirty-eight years, from the time the author first studied these people in 1911-1912 to his second field trip to the Micmac in 1950. The author further hoped to be able to supplement the description of the old culture and folktales given him in 1911-1912 by his informants by additional material, and to assess some of the changes in material life, general orientation, drives and motivation which have evolved in the society during this period. The field work was carried out at the communities of Burnt Church, New Brunswick and Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. This source provides abundant data on various aspects of acculturation, and shows clearly how some of the elements of the traditional culture which were at least remembered by the author's older informants at the time of his first visit, now have become completely lost (e.g., canoe building, birch bark wigwam construction), or have been modified to a considerable extent through the process of acculturation.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Sociocultural trends
Public welfare
Housing
Normal garb
Labor supply and employment
Ethos
Cultural identity and pride
culture
Mi'kmaq
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
North America
Sub Region
Eastern Woodlands
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1964: John Beierle; 2009
Field Date
1911-1912, 1950
Coverage Date
1534-1950
Coverage Place
Maritime Provinces, Eastern Canada
Notes
Wilson D. Wallis and Ruth Sawtell Wallis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-129)
LCCN
54036266
LCSH
Micmac Indians