First Nations and Inuit Inventions

• They were also used to identify between different nations because each group of people made their canoes differently depending on their skill level and the types of water they had to navigate ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1).

At the time of European contact, canoes became useful in helping the fur trade progress ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1).

Why is it Important?

Description

Canoes made it easier and quicker to transport supplies and groups of people from point A to point B in comparison to other modes of transportation ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1).

• The canoe is a type of boat made of hollowed out wood ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1)
• Birchbark was the most popular type of wood but elm or pine could also be used ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1)
• "A canoe had to be sturdy enough to bear heavy loads, yet light enough for one man to carry..." ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1)

What Does it Do?

• Canoes were used by the First Nations and Inuit people for transportation across waterways ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1).
• "...Travel by water was the quickest and most common form of transportation" ("The Birchbark Canoe" 1)

The syringe in an invention that should belong in the Hall of Fame without a doubt.If the syringe was not invented, we would not have the medical advancements necessary to sustain life, cure disease and prevent infection. Syringes have given us means to administer drugs hypodermically, resulting in increased numbers of successful medical procedures. Syringes are used every day in hospitals around Canada, and our medical field and means of treating sickness would not be nearly as effective without them. Thanks to the First Nations people, we are now able to aid our nation in living longer and healthier lives.

Why is it Important?

Canoes

Without canoes, we would not have continued means of transportation. I believe the canoe served as a model for our current watercrafts. Because of them we now have larger and more complex boats for many unique purposes such as marine service and shipping cargo or passengers etc. Canoes are still used today for recreation and transportation. The canoe belongs in the Hall of Fame because it has contributed to our future means of transportation across water and continues to serve it's original purpose for people of Canada.

Who Made Them?

• Canoes were made by tribes in areas where birch trees grew, such as Eastern Canada, heavily forested areas and the Cordillera region of B.C (''The Birchbark Canoe'' 1).
• The Algonkian people of Canada were considered to be the finest canoe crafters (''The Birchbark Canoe'' 1).

Syringes

Description

Who Made Them?

• Syringes were made out of hollow bird bones and animal bladders ("First Nations and European Medecine..." 1)
• They are used as objects in healing process, where the substances they administer aid in curing disease ("First Nations and European Medecine..." 1)

What Does it Do?

• The tribes of Native Americans in Canada were observed using syringes in 1721 ("First Nations and European Medecine..." 1)
• It is unclear what tribe actually invented the syringe because it was used by many

• The syringe was used to administer fluids to medicate wounds or for enemas ("First Nations and European Medecine..." 1)
• They could also be used to suck out or remove disease ("First Nations and European Medecine..." 1)

Lacrosse

Influences

Who Made It?

• Lacrosse was initially invented by the Algonquian tribe near the St. Lawrence river, but was followed by other tribes near the Great Lakes and the Eastern part of North America ("Origin and History..." 1)

Why Was it Played?

Bibliography

First Nations and Inuit people have made large impacts on our modern day society. However, few people realize just how much they have contributed to our way of life. Where would we be without syringes, canoes, lacrosse and medicine? Without the inventions of First Nations and the Inuit, we would not be living the same way we are today.

What Does it Do?

Adamski, Barbara K. "Lacrosse." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Ed. Tabitha Marshall. Historica Canada, 08 July 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse/>.

Bergeron, Karen, and Deb Jackson. "Trilliums, Birthroot, Beth Root." Trilliums Medicinal Uses. Alternative Nature Online Herbal, 2000. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <https://altnature.com/gallery/trilliums.htm>.

Medecine of White Trillium

• Lacrosse was played because it was thought of as a sport that made young men tough ("Origin and History..." 1)
• It prepared warriors for battle ("Origin and History..." 1)

Trilliums were used for :

• rheumatism
• stiff muscles
• headache
• antiseptic
• sunscreen

("Medecine and Traditional Plants" 1, Bergeron, Jackson 1)

"First Nations and European Medecine: Two Continents, Two Viewpoints." The History of Medical Technology in Canada. Chin.gc.ca, 2001. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.museevirtuel.ca/edu/ViewLoitLo.do?method=preview&lang=EN&id=4027>.

"Origin and History of Lacrosse | FIL". Origin and History of Lacrosse | FIL". Ed. Jane Claydon. Federation of International Lacrosse.Web. 22 April 2016. http://filacrosse.com/origin/

"Six Nations Farmers Market." Medecine and Traditional Plants. Six Nations Farmers Market and Garden. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.sixnationsfarmersmarket.com/foods_medicines_traditional_plants.php>.

Who Made Them?

Description

"The Birchbark Canoe." History of the Birchbark Canoe. Saskatchewan Indian, 30 Oct. 1975. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.sicc.sk.ca/archive/saskindian/a75oct3008.htm>.

• A perennial flower found growing in rich woods and thickets (Bergeron, Jackson 1)
• Grows up to 2 feet tall, with leaves and 3 white petals (Bergeron, Jackson 1)

Why is it Important?

When the Europeans arrived in Canada, they had no knowledge of any medicines that would treat their illnesses. Because of the knowledge they gained from the First Nations, they were able to develop our medical system and treatments for illnesses that we currently use. The white trillium was used for many purposes which may have helped develop the prescription drugs we use today. For example, antiseptics are still used, and though they has evolved, they originally came from plants such as the white trillium. Sunscreen is also widely used today to prevent skin cancer, and the First Nations used trilliums for this purpose. Without the vast discoveries of plants such as the trillium and their uses in the medical field, we may not have some of the treatments available to us today that provide us with cures and preventative measures for sickness.

• Trilliums are native to Eastern Canada and Ontario, and therefore the tribes in this area would have used them for medicinal purposes (Bergeron, Jackson 1)

• Other than to strengthen the players, lacrosse was also played for recreation and religious reasons ("Origin and History..." 1)

Image Sources

<https://altnature.com/gallery/trilliums.htm>.

Description

<http://sportcenter481.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/11808310-lacrosse.jpg>

<https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=syringe&view=detailv2&&id=1594E519D7A30892821196BC0C99A4969305084B&selectedIndex=3&ccid=rG7lhPYE&simid=608008855726588710&thid=OIP.Mac6ee584f604d20b0798466263dc349dH0&ajaxhist=0>

<https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M445c4de9ad60fadbfa12af66330bf052H0&pid=15.1>

• Lacrosse was initially called stickball by the First Nations ("Origin and History..." 1)
• "Lacrosse is a team sport in which players pass, catch and carry a rubber ball using sticks with a netted pouch at one end." (Adamski 1)
• The object of the game is to score points by shooting the ball into the opposite team's goal (Adamski 1)

Why is it Important?

Lacrosse is one of the oldest organized sports in North America (Adamski 1). It was recognized as a national sport of Canada, which is reason enough as to why it should be in the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, this invention of First Nations continues to be played today which proves it's timeless effect. It, as with all sports, contributes to the overall mental and physical well-being of Canadians. Because of its recognition as a national sport, its continued effect, and its benefit to the people, this should be considered a great triumph by Aboriginal peoples.

First Nations Inventions

Kayla Kucera