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The Vanishing Tribe

© Mary M. Alward

In the beginning it is believed that the Beothuck (pronounced Bay-o-thuck) Indians moved between what is now Newfoundland and Labrador. To do this they had to cross the Strait of Belle Isle. The waters of the Atlantic were cold - the waves treacherous. They had no modern means of transportation. They would have fought ocean waves in only their handcrafted canoes.

In about 200 A.D., the Beothucks made their permanent home on the island that is now Newfoundland. Though they were part of the Algonquin family of tribes, they developed their own culture and traditions. The island was rich in wild game and fish. Caribou grazed on lichen. Wolves, bear, lynx, beaver, squirrel and other small animals made their homes in the forests of the island. Hundreds of inland streams teemed with salmon and trout. Seabirds were plentiful. In spring, seals and whales came close to shore. The ocean provided a large variety of fish and seafood. This suited the Beothuck. They were skilled hunters and had no trouble finding food for their people.

The Beothucks were tall, strong people with dark eyes. Their black hair was partially braided at the back of their head and decorated with feathers. They dressed in animal hides and hunted with bow and arrows. They covered their clothes, bodies and weapons with a mixture of red ochre and oil. This protected them from insects in the summer and cold in winter. They believed the ochre had life-giving power. For that reason, they are often referred to in Canada as the Red Ochre People.

Newfoundland summers are warm, but very short. The winters are long and harsh. Frigid winds blow inland from the sea. The Beothuck knew how to survive in the extreme weather conditions of the island.

In 1610, John Guy founded the first recorded settlement on the island. He became friendly with the Beothuck. He traded clothes, scissors, needles and tools for animal furs. He used sign language to tell the Beothuck to return to following year to trade again.

Another ship arrived before John Guy's the following year. The captain believed the Natives were hostile and fired a cannon into their midst. The Beothuck never trusted white men again.

In the early 1700's, more white settlers came to the island. They built villages in the sheltered bays and inlets that were the summer home of the Beothuck. The Indians moved inland to get away from the white men.

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