Theories of First Peoples’ OriginsTheories of First Peoples’ Origins

Archaeological and Archaeological and Aboriginal perspectivesAboriginal perspectives

Theories of First Peoples’ OriginsTheories of First Peoples’ Origins

There are two views regarding the origins There are two views regarding the origins of First Peoples in North Americaof First Peoples in North America

– Archaeological perspectiveArchaeological perspective:: First Peoples arrived from somewhere elseFirst Peoples arrived from somewhere else

– Aboriginal perspectiveAboriginal perspective:: First Peoples were always thereFirst Peoples were always there

Archaelogical PerspectiveArchaelogical Perspective

The archaeological perspective consists of The archaeological perspective consists of 3 different theories as to how the First 3 different theories as to how the First Peoples came to North AmericaPeoples came to North America

– Land RouteLand Route– Pacific RoutePacific Route– Atlantic RouteAtlantic Route

The Land Route TheoryThe Land Route Theory

This theory states that during the last Ice This theory states that during the last Ice Age, seawaters were so low that a land Age, seawaters were so low that a land bridge spanned the 90km distance bridge spanned the 90km distance between Alaska and Siberia. This vast, between Alaska and Siberia. This vast, grassy plain was called grassy plain was called BeringiaBeringia. The first . The first peoples came across this land bridge peoples came across this land bridge chasing big game animals such as bison, chasing big game animals such as bison, caribou and mammoths.caribou and mammoths.

The Pacific Route TheoryThe Pacific Route Theory

This theory states that the first peoples This theory states that the first peoples crossed the Pacific Ocean by watercraft crossed the Pacific Ocean by watercraft from Polynesia and Australia. Fossil from Polynesia and Australia. Fossil evidence of sea and land mammals evidence of sea and land mammals suggests that there were enough natural suggests that there were enough natural resources at that time for coastal people resources at that time for coastal people to survive.to survive.

The Atlantic Route TheoryThe Atlantic Route Theory

This theory states that people came from This theory states that people came from Southern Europe by navigating small Southern Europe by navigating small watercraft, or walking on the borders of watercraft, or walking on the borders of glaciers. Genetic markers have shown glaciers. Genetic markers have shown similarities in DNA between Aboriginals similarities in DNA between Aboriginals and Europeans – similarities not found and Europeans – similarities not found between Aboriginals and Asians.between Aboriginals and Asians.

First Nations’ TheoryFirst Nations’ Theory

First Nations’ beliefs, supported by First Nations’ beliefs, supported by legends and oral histories, state that these legends and oral histories, state that these people were always here. These creation people were always here. These creation stories are told differently, according to stories are told differently, according to different aboriginal traditions, but they different aboriginal traditions, but they share the same idea: that this is share the same idea: that this is aboriginals’ homeland.aboriginals’ homeland.

Summary about First Peoples’ OriginsSummary about First Peoples’ Origins

Two perspectives: Two perspectives: Archaeological vs. AboriginalArchaeological vs. Aboriginal

ArchaeologicalArchaeological– Land RouteLand Route– Pacific RoutePacific Route– Atlantic RouteAtlantic Route

AboriginalAboriginal– Always here; creation storiesAlways here; creation stories