The Algonquian people were nomadic; in other words, they had no fixed homes. In the summer, they formed large groups and settled near a river or lake. They spent the entire summer in one place and ate the fish they caught. In the winter months when the lakes and rivers were frozen, they moved and settled in the forest. During this time of the year, the Algonquians hunted small and big game. It was easier for them to hunt big game like moose in the winter because these animals move slowly in deep snow.
Disbanding to survive
The Algonquians mostly ate meat. In the winter, they split up into small bands to avoid hunting on the territories of the other bands. Once there was no game left in one place, they moved to another spot where the hunting would be better. Over the course of a winter, the Algonquians moved their camp several times and did not stay more than 15 or 20 days in the same place.
Author: Alexandre Lanoix
See also: Traces of the Past — A new discovery
Important concepts and big ideas:
[glossary slug=’Habitation’]
[glossary slug=’nomad’]
[glossary slug=’resources’]
[glossary slug=’Subarcticclimate’]
[glossary slug=’Subsistence’]
