The Importance of Landscape

1. The Importance of Landscape Kyle Rosbrook The significance of landscape to the First Nations and Metis people

2. Respect for water • First Nations and Metis people know that if they respect the waters in rivers in will renew itself. In their view water is a spiritual medium through which prayers can reach the creator • Water gives to us, cares for us, and blesses us • Humans collectively pollute water in so many ways that it becomes unusable, and is return to us as such • An example is the fort Chipewyan who are downstream for the Athabasca oil sand, who’s water is now unusable.

3. Forces Shaping the Earth • Many First Nations believe that it is the Creator, and forces such as water and wind that have shaped Mother Earth • A Cree story tells how the water and wind made the earth this way before humans arrived • For this reason in the Cree world veiw water is sacred

4. How have First Nations utilized the landscape? • You are to research one tribe or regional band that have utilize the landscape for their benefit and way of life • Who, what, where, why, and how are all to be covered, as well as an short but in-depth coverage on the way they used the land to their advantage.

5. Example of uses- but who and why? • Hills as natural buffalo corrals • Maze harvesting • Wild Rice gathering • Fishing • Hunting • People of the rapids? • Irrigation • Ocean hunting • Ice hunting • Buffalo Jumps

6. Elder Albert Scott • Elder Albert Scott can be quoted saying… “I grew up beside a river, and was told ‘we would have to eventually pay for our water. I did not understand this, I did not understand what they meant. I see it now”. What do you think he is referring to?