The Salteaux Culture

  The Salteaux Culture

  The Salteaux Culture was among the First Nation people who believed in Mother Earth, who provided all they needed to survive in the plains they lived in. To ensure their survival, these people relied on the buffalo for food, shelter, clothing, and tools. The buffalo meat was cured and pounded then stored in bags called ‘parfleches.’ The Salteaux people encountered newcomers who hunted the buffalos relentlessly for their hides. These hides were used to make tents known as ‘tipis.’  The birch bark was used by the First People to make and mend canoes, to draw maps and write messages. The dog and horse were used to transport tents and property. They used beaver pelts as a form of currency in their trade with people from across the sea. Some of the goods they traded were gunpowder, axes, tobacco, muskets, scissors, blankets, and pots. For weaponry, these people made circular shields from buffalo skin, which were made by the women. The First People signed treaty 4 of 1874 because of the disappearance of the buffalo, which their tribes greatly relied on. Their economies had suffered much, and this threatened the survival of their people. The treaties the British crown made were legendary, and these people saw it as an opportunity to trade their lands and ensure their continued survival. After the agreement, they started practicing agriculture, where they harvested rice. Maize was also introduced to them by the village tribes of Missouri. A system of trade between the First Nation and the Newcomers was established, and the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) operated the trading posts. The women started wearing dresses with detachable sleeves and mocassins from the Northern Central. Their weapons changed in that their shields were made of bull hides instead of buffalo hides.

In the Salteaux Culture, the ceremonies were characterized by the worship of the buffalo, medicine- bundle, and the Sun Dance. For leisure, these people did decorative art where they painted on rawhide and embroidery in beads and quills. They used a few rectangular and triangular designs to make figures that were complex. These people had their territories, which they lived freely. They were independent, and treaties were made amongst tribes to maintain peace and friendships. Areas for hunting, gathering, trapping, and fishing were shared. Alliances for war were easily formed, and trade networks and routes between tribes were developed throughout Northern America. After the Newcomers came, they needed interpreters and guides and therefore recruited the first nation people to help them with trading. The HBC had a policy that ensured respect and fair dealings in trade relationships. Newcomers were urged not to develop personal relationships with the First Nation People. Eventually, the instructions had to be removed due to the isolation and interdependence these relationships brought about. These people started intermingling with the First Nation during trade and later started marrying their women. The women were significant in helping negotiators, hunters, traders, guides, interpreters, and were experts at clothing and food production. Their children came to be known as ‘Metis”. These women also benefitted them tremendously by strengthening trade tries among their relatives and providing the essentials needed in daily life. A chief and headman led the Salteaux tribe. They both negotiated on behalf of the tribe and signed on the treaties. After the agreement of 1874, one of the ceremonies that remained was the Clown ceremony, where demons were exorcised from the sick, ludicrous rites were performed, among others. Their decorative art changed in that they mixed figures of the plains, which were geometric with the forest’s flower designs. Picture writing was also done on birch barks.

The Salteaux culture cared much for their ancestors and honored them since they believed that without them, there would be no life. They believed the Creator put them on Turtle Island so they would live productive lives. They believed in the circle of life and that the Creator provided everything to them. The number 4 was sacred to them since many gifts from the Creator came in fours. They were the entities that breathe, four entities above the earth, the four directions, seasons, stages of human life, and elements of the universe. These individuals respected nature since they believed that balance and harmony were required for their survival as long as humans took only what they wanted. The Salteaux dances and music were developed from their creation stories. One of the laws they adhered to was that if an individual committed an act of bravery, they were to become warriors for life, no matter their age. The First Nation believed land could not be owned since it is a gift from the Creator. Therefore, individuals could share land though after the treaty, these agreements did not have the transfer of titles since this land was to be shared and not owned. After the signing of the di treaty, the Salteaux people interacted with the British Newcomers, and later, they adopted some of their practices like their religion of Christianity.