Variation in 18Th-Century Labrador Inuit Housing As Seen in House 3 at Double Mer Point
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Divided but Together: Variation in 18th-Century Labrador Inuit Housing as seen in House 3 at Double Mer Point (GbBo-2) by © Vincent E. Jankunis A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Archaeology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador April, 2019 Abstract The sod winter house has been a source relied upon heavily by archaeologists who study the Labrador Inuit past. Research has focused on how the size and construction of houses have changed through time and used those changes as evidence of larger social changes in Labrador Inuit society (Jordan 1978; Jordan and Kaplan 1980; Kaplan 1983, 1985; Kaplan and Woollett 2000; Murphy 2011, 2012; Murphy and Rankin 2014; Richling 1993; Schledermann 1976a, 1976b; Taylor 1976; Whitridge 2008; Woollett 1999, 2003, 2007). However, there are also differences in the design of houses that reflect variation in Inuit housing at certain points in the past. Recently, those designs present during the Communal House Phase of Labrador have been highlighted (Kaplan 2012; Murphy 2011, 2012; Murphy and Rankin 2014), but little work has focused on explaining the reasons for the many different house designs. This thesis offers an explanation for the design of House 3, a house occupied at the winter community of Double Mer Point during the latter half of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century. i Acknowledgements The research described in this thesis would not have been possible without the groundwork of two parties. The first was the Town of Rigolet in southern Nunatsiavut, which made the initial steps towards a return of archaeological research to Double Mer Point after a long hiatus. Whether it was on the volleyball court, in the grocery store, or walking up and down the streets where smiles and waves were given freely, I have never experienced a more welcoming community. The second party was my supervisor, Dr. Lisa Rankin, who accepted the invitation of the community and brought her expertise to the project. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and guidance were more than any student could ask for. I don’t feel that I made full use of everything she had to offer, but I look forward to remedying that in the years to come as a friend and fellow researcher. Of course, good intentions are not enough to get a project off the ground and there are multiple institutions that helped finance this work. The funding provided by the School of Graduate Studies at MUN placed a roof over my head and kept me fed throughout the program. The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), the Provincial Archaeology Office of Newfoundland and Labrador, the J.R. Smallwood Foundation, and the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) provided funding for general field work and the analyses that followed. Lastly, on-the-job training for students was made possible by two government programs. The Inuit Pathways program of the Nunatsiavut Government allowed us to hire Robert Jacques, a local high school student from Rigolet. Similarly, the Young Canada Works program provided the funds to hire two undergraduate students from MUN: Amber Favreau and David Malone. ii For the nitty gritty of the work there are many to thank. Daily transportation to the site was made possible through the exceptional skills of our boat drivers Richard Rich, Franklin Flowers, and Fred Shiwak. In many cases they also helped in my navigation of cultural mores I was fortunate to have experienced. Even now with my work in Rigolet finished, Fred Shiwak continues to help me stay connected with life in Rigolet. I am very thankful for his friendship. Jeri, Mike, Robert, Amber, David, Meghan, Lindsay, Olivier, Laurence, Robyn, and Deirdre formed the field crew that ensured my first summer in Labrador was a memorable one and the excavation of House 3 a success. Many of their contributions didn’t end there. Thanks is due for the extensive faunal catalogue provided by Lindsay Swinarton, the palaeoentomological report authored by Olivier Lalonde, the palaeobotanical report and laboratory work of Amber Favreau, the maps expertly rendered by Peter Ramsden, the fantastic illustration of Double Mer Point done by Meghan Walley, and the many, many hours of cataloguing Robyn Fleming provided. This work would not be complete without your contributions. Lastly, that support which cannot be quantified but is so important for preserving some semblance of sanity during an undertaking like this came from many people. My cohort, professors, and fellow students are a testament to what is good in academia. With their help I was able to reach the level one ought to be at by the end of a Master’s degree. My family and friends in western Canada provided support from afar while many in St. John’s did so on nearly a day-to-day basis. My time spent in the Labrador Lab would not have been so enjoyable if it weren’t for Robyn who’s taste in music was always interesting, if not exactly my style. Her friendship is one of the many that made my time in Newfoundland and Labrador enjoyable. More to this point, I consider all of those iii already mentioned a friend; however, there are a few who made my time at MUN extra special. Deirdre Elliott stayed an extra month in Labrador to ensure the excavation was complete, was always free for a chat, and gave me fries. If that isn’t friendship, I don’t know what is. Time spent with Alison Harris, Meghan Walley, and Simon Newcombe was also enlightening and enjoyable. Finally, the greatest thanks must go to my now fiancé Elenore. This work would not be finished without your unwavering support. iv Table of Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Objectives ................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Thesis Overview ......................................................................................................... 5 Conceptual Framework: Homes and Domestic Space ..................................................... 7 2.1 The Inuit Winter House .............................................................................................. 8 2.2 Approaches to the Study of the House ..................................................................... 15 2.2.1 The House as a Tool ......................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 The House as a Symbol ..................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Space, Place, and Cultural Traits ...................................................................... 21 2.2.4 The House as a Means of Cultural Production ................................................. 28 2.3 The Labrador Inuit Winter House ............................................................................ 31 2.3.1 Household Variations Over Time ..................................................................... 31 2.3.1.1 Settlement - 17th Century ........................................................................... 35 2.3.1.2 18th Century ................................................................................................ 37 2.3.1.3 19th Century ................................................................................................ 41 2.3.2 Social Change and “The Communal House Phase” ......................................... 44 2.4 Conclusion: My Approach to House 3 ..................................................................... 52 Setting the Scene: Labrador and its Peoples (15th to mid-19th Century) ........................ 54 3.1 Inuit Ancestors: The Thule ....................................................................................... 57 3.1.1 Thule Migration ................................................................................................ 57 3.1.2 The Thule in Labrador ...................................................................................... 60 3.2 Early Europeans in Labrador .................................................................................... 62 3.2.1 Migratory Workers: Fishermen, Whalers, and Traders .................................... 63 3.2.2 Early Inuit/European Interactions ..................................................................... 65 3.3 Merchants, Missionaries, and Settlers ...................................................................... 69 v 3.3.1 The French Sedentary Fishery .......................................................................... 69 3.3.2 British Rule ....................................................................................................... 72 3.3.2.1 The British Ship Fishery ............................................................................ 73 3.3.2.2 The Moravian Mission ............................................................................... 76 3.3.2.3 Settlers and the Labrador Métis ................................................................. 78 3.4 Conclusion: Inuit Societal Change ........................................................................... 80 Hamilton Inlet and its Role in the Study of Inuit Housing ............................................ 83 4.1 Physical and Human Geography .............................................................................. 85 4.2 Archaeological Research .........................................................................................