Social structure of the first people

During the class where we discussed the social structure and values of the first people we talked about gender roles, clans, extended families, community size and the elders. The social structures of the first people were usually based on the way a group related to one another based on written or unwritten laws.

The elders where the most respected people in the community or clan because of their wisdom and knowledge. People would go to the elders for advice and guidance. Elders could be a man or women and it did not matter if you were younger or old. To become an Elder you must have experience and you must earn the respect of the community through your wisdom and actions.

The clans were a group of individuals who make a community or are a part of a larger community. Clans were usually determined by common ancestry among the people. The size of the community was based on the amount of resources you have and that already exists in your location, the more resources you had the bigger your community or clan would become.

Extended families and gender roles: the extended families are made up of all the family members including: children, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and your parents all in one house hold. the men of the house usually were the one who would take the role of hunter and they would protector the family and the villages. The men were also the one who went to war if one would ever happen. the women were the one who would remain in the village to tend to meals, harvest crops and organize the people. Children would also remain in the village and help with everyday duties like cooking, sewing, help in the fields.(uploaded by goldi productions in http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_wf6.html)

Leader; the leader or chief of the village was usually determined by the bloodline of the mother. the war chief was determined by position through valor, wealth and courage.  The more an individual had to offer and give away the more their status rose.

(uploaded by goldi productions in http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_wf6.html)