Béothuks

The Béothuks (biˈɒθʊk), now disappeared, were the inhabitants Autochtone S populating the island of Newfoundland. The encroachments of the European colonists, the Massacre S, just as the European Disease S against which they had not developed any Anticorps, quickly decimated the population. The last representing known of the people béothuk, Shanawdithit, died in 1829.

The first colonization of Newfoundland

The first signs of human presence on the island of Newfoundland go back to approximately: 3000 years and concern “maritime antiquated Civilization”, culture of fishermen and hunters of marine animals. One notes the development of the work of wood, Tumulus - Tombeau X and full use of the red Ocre, on the coasts of Newfoundland. This Civilization would be extinct there is: 4000 years, probably following the immersion of the continental shelf.

Towards -850, arrive the paléo- Inuit S which occupy the island lasting approximately 700 years. Of Asian origin (Siberia), these Inuits emigrated several thousands of years ago while crossing the Bering Strait and are established in North America. They are supplanted by the representatives of the culture Dorset S and, simultaneously by those of the culture “Recent Indian”, possible ancestors of Béothuks. The word “Béothuk” means people in the béothuque language. These two nations occupy the island during the Millénaire according to.

First contact with Europeans

The southernmost coasts were explored for the first time towards the end of the 10th century by Érik the Red, a Viking originating in Iceland. colony S Vikings were installed on the east coast of the Greenland under its reign. However, at the beginning of the 15th century, the colonies Vikings in Greenland disappeared following a climatic cooling, which gradually took place starting from 1650 until 1850. Those established a colonization of the island of Newfoundland. Vestiges were found with the Handle in Meadows. Colonization fails. The Scandinavian sagas imply that dissensions between the colonizers are perhaps not foreign there, just as the conflicts with the autochtones Skræling S (Béothuks? Dorsets?). According to the Scandinavian accounts last forwardings towards Vinland (Scandinavian designation of Newfoundland) will take place at the 12th century.

According to a report of 1710 of the File S of St Jean de Luz, the Basques discover Newfoundland in 1392, probably with the continuation of the Morue. They settle in 1505 there. Thereafter, a forwarding returns in the area in 1497 when John Cabot explores the area on behalf of the England and discovers in its turn the Grands Benches of cod of Newfoundland. Béothuks at that time count between 1000 and 5000 individuals.

In 1501, Gaspar de Corte-Real explores the east coast of North America on behalf of the Portugal. It captures 50 autochtones Labrador or of Newfoundland to bring back them to Portugal, country then slave.

In 1502, English fishermen start to attend the Grands Benches of Newfoundland, followed by the Norman ones in 1506, the Breton ones in 1510, then Vaisseau X of nations having a frontage on the Atlantique.

Béothuks passed their be S to to fish along the coast and their Hiver S with the Chasse inside the grounds. In Fall, they installed barriers to direct the caribou S in migration towards the hunters which awaited them. They preserved all the Nourriture of surplus for the winter.

“Redskins”

The colonizers called them “Redskins” because they were painted of red blood stone. The expression “Redskins” was employed later in reference to the North-American natives in general and took a more negative Connotation.

Contrary to other groups Indigenous S, Béothuks tried to avoid any contact with the few colonizers, especially the British who pushed back them towards the interior when the settlement intensified. Because of the loss of their grounds, Skirmish S and the diseases lately imported by those, the Tuberculosis in particular, their number decreased to 400 in 1768 and in 1829 they were extinct. The Encyclopedia off North American Indians , there was a genocide. I have this book at home, which hardly speaks about Beothuks. I found no mention of a genocide there. EP an error of reference. -->

Béothuks captured by the British

One knows two famous stories of Béothuks captured by the British on the island of Newfoundland.

In 1819, Demasduit, that the British called Mary March , was removed with the hope which it can become interpreter and intermediate between the British colonists and Béothuks. She died of the Tuberculose. The niece of Demasduwit, a teenager called Shanawdithit , is the known Béothuque last. She was captured in 1823 and was called “Nancy” by the British colonists. She spent the six last years of her life to describe the culture and the béothuque language with William Cormack. Its death is ascribable to tuberculosis.

In 1929, 75 years an indigenous old woman called Santu , girl of a micmaque mother and a father béothuk, sang a song in béothuque language. This song was diffused by the Canadian radio CBC the September 13rd 2000.

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