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For over 1800 years the Beothuck Nation inhabited the island we now know as Newfoundland. Crossing the Strait of Belle Isle-sole occupants- they would call this land their home until the death of the last surviving Beothuck - Shananditti - on June 6th. 1829.
Surrounded by sea, an abundance of food and no enemies, the Beothuck would experience a profound change. Once strong and Military-like, over the centuries, they became a gentle, peace-loving people, fond of art and music and given to friendliness and feasting with all visitors to their shores. A characteristic which would one day be the instrument of own their destruction.
In their land, beautiful but sometimes harsh, they wore a mantle of Caribou, the fur side in. The outer side spread with a mixture of red-ochre and oil, kept them both warm and dry. Moccasins, leggings, arm covers and wide cuffed mittens completed their winter dress. All clothing and exposed flesh was covered with this ochre mixture, giving them the appearance (and misnomer) of "Redskins". In truth they were as fair as any European. When whites first arrived in 1550 AD and discovered this fact, the Beothuck quickly became the object of a white slave trade. How many were sold into slavery in Europe is unknown. Not until condemned by the Pope, with threatenings of ex-communication did it end.
This young Beothuck Chief sits alone, somberly surveying the horizon form where the big ships came. His mind goes back to his childhood. To the stories passed down form his grandfather and his grandfather before him. Stories that tell of his people, many in number, who for ages past had lived in peace and safety on this beautiful island. Now so few, he wondered if his people would survive. As he pondered all these things, the past and the present, he feared there would be no tomorrows. |
