8-The Beothuk—Newfoundland’s Aboriginal People

 Beothuk Interpretation Center, 

Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

Little is known about the original inhabitants of Newfoundland, the Beothuk (pronounced ‘beothik’). The findings at the Boyd’s Cove archaeological site showcase a culture adapting to change. In general, the Beothuk kept to themselves having been quite disillusioned by the settlers who allegedly attacked them mistaking a dance of joy for warfare preparation. Ever since this incident they were perceived as dangerous and many battles were fought. The last of the Beothuk, a woman named Shanawdithit, died in St. John’s of TB in 1829.

Also, unlike other indigenous groups elsewhere in North America, the Beothuks received whatever they needed without engaging in trade; i.e. without having to modify their way of life. This is due to the fact that Newfoundland’s colonialists really did not settle permanently for the duration of about 70 years between 1650-1720, rather they arrived in the spring and went back to Europe in the fall with all their cod and sealskins. Once the colonists went back to Europe, the Beothuk would arrive in their fishing stations and take metal products and mold them to their needs.

In particular, they were interested in nails that were left behind in the structures and/or discarded items. These nails were relatively soft so the Beothuk would pound on them changing their shape. A portion of the nail would be used for scraping; the more important portion of the nail, however, was used as arrow heads as this was a great improvement over their less effective and durable stone projectile points.

Beothuk Interpretation Center, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

It is believed that the Beothuk were related to the Algonkian speaking native peoples of southern Quebec and Labrador. They may have descended from the Maritime Archaic Indians of southern Labrador whose sites were dated to 7,500 years ago. Some of them may have come to the island of Newfoundland around the year 1,000.

The archeological site at Boyd’s Cove discovered by an archeologist affiliated with St. John’s university in 1982 yielded some Beothuk tools and other signs of early settlement from over 1000 years ago but the most prominent findings  date to the time between 1650 to 1720. It allows a glimpse into their lifestyle before the arrival of the European settlers and is at this point the most important source of information.

Beothuk Interpretation Center, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

Most likely the site was chosen because it provided safe and shallow sites for canoes as it is protected by a maze of channels and islands. The fresh water source,  a stream that teems with small silvery fish once a year—the annual smelt run—might have been a factor. In addition, a natural embankment that put the actual settlement site way above sea level provided protection from the sea but also from possible attackers. The embankment  itself is a moraine, an assortment of gravel, rock and bolders left behind by glaciers. Water drains easily into/through such a foundation leaving the surface relatively dry.

View from the Beothuk settlement site down to the bay.

View from the beach to the settlement embankment. 

View from the beach to the settlement embankment. 

The Boyd’s Cove Beothuk built their houses by digging into the ground and then erecting wigwams in them. Bark, animal skins and even sail cloth might have been used for the roof.

Source: Beothuk Interpreation Center, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

The interior of the wigwam might have looked like this:

Source: Beothuk Interpreation Center, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

Source: Beothuk Interpreation Center, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland.

Caribou were vital for the survival of the Beothuk as they provided food, clothing and sewing materials (sinew).  Since caribou usually travel in large herds the Beothuk  developed an efficient technique of hunting: they built a large fence along areas where they were to arrive driving the animals into water. From there it was easy to get to the helpless animals.

Archaeologists were excited to find a larger-sized plot which might have served as mokoshan site, a site where a feast was celebrated honoring the caribou spirit as it was done in Northern Labrador. Here the mokoshan was usually celebrated in a special oval structure which was also found on the Boyd’s Cave site.

Another piece of evidence of the Beothuk’s spirituality and also their geographic origins is their use of red ochre as a body paint and on burial grounds. This might have had symbolic meaning linking blood with life and death.

In addition, the Ramah chert was discovered at the site—the rock’s natural origin is in Northern Labrador. A carving of maybe a bear discovered might have some spiritual importance.

Sources: 
1) Beothuk Interpretation Center, Boyd's Cove, Newfoundland.
2) The Beothuk, Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador, accessed at   http://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/aboriginal/beothuk.php