Hunters
and Gatherers: The Algonquians were hunters
and gatherers. The Cree were the largest and most typical of the northern
Algonquian. The Cree lived in the area south of Hudson Bay to almost to the
Great Lakes. Most were Woodland Indians. Some were Plains Indians. All
are considered Far North Indians.
Homes and Transportation: They used bark canoes. Homes were
tepees covered with hide and bark.
Clothing:
They wore leather leggings and leather boots.
Women wore leather dresses belted at the waist. They made detachable sleeves
that could be removed for summer wear, and attached for winter wear. In the
winter they added coats, gloves, and hats as needed.
Tattoos:
In olden days, many far north Algonquians tattooed their bodies. The
women only tattooed a couple of simple lines on either side of their face.
But the men nearly covered their body with tattoos.
Tools:
They made axes and arrowheads from stone. They
made knives and fish hooks from bone. Containers were made from birch bark
and stone.
Trade:
The Cree also traded for goods. They were pretty
easy to get along with. They were honest in everything except trade. But
everyone knew that part of trading to the Cree was a needed ability to be cunning.
Religion:
They believed in many magical beings. The person
who talked to the magical beings for them was the shaman.
