My longhouse is of average size, housing five other families along with mine. Women are guardians of the family and of village traditions. A family consists of a woman, her daughters or sisters and her husbands and children. In the longhouse, the women have influence on the male leaders. They are responsible for cooking, sewing and tanning leather, the care of the children, cleaning out cooking fires and hearths, gathering food, making baskets and pots, weaving mats and fishing nets, farming and caring for families and guests. The men of each village take care of clearing new fields, hunting, fishing, storing the fish, making stone and wooden utensils and tools, repairing the village, making canoes, pipes, snowshoes and sleds. They also carry out peace negotiations with the rest of the world. Our men and women work hard to acquire goods to share with others of the longhouse, village, clan and tribe. Our people are known for our generosity to the French and to other Native groups. Marriages can be ended by either partner, something rare if children are involved. The choice of who to live with is up to the woman. Newborn babies have their ears pierced and then are named. Wrapped in furs, the babies are carried in cradleboards filled with soft, warm down from bulrushes. Children are well liked and well taken care of by everyone. Return to Other Ways of Seeing... |
