How do you define 'family?'
Extended families would appear to be widespread if we
noted low frequencies. Practically every tribe had at least
a few three-generation groups of relatives living together
at a given time. While we do not have adequate statistical
evidence to prove this statement, the abundant reference to
grandparents and grandchildren in biography and folklore
indicate plenty of three-generation propinquity. (Driver
236).
The Importance of Genetics
Interviewer - Earle Waugh, PhD.
On the northern Plains, it is difficult to choose between
independent polygynous and patrilocal extended families.
Both were present among all tribes, and any difference among
them can at best be a matter of emphasis. Probably the
larger unit was more typical before the horse, and later
gave way to the more individualistic polygynous unit when
the fur trade changes many features of the socio-political
organization (Driver 238).
Arranged Marriages
Interviewer - Earle Waugh, PhD.
The ties of kindred and relationship are of a very
complex character among the Ojibways; in more than one
instance a singular exemplification of cross-relationship
occurred during our voyage on lakes Winnipeg and Manitobah
which his perhaps worthy of being recorded, as it may serve
to show the permanency of ancient customs and traditions
among families now dwelling nearly a thousand miles west of
the hunting grounds of their ancestors. Near the mouth of
the Little Saskatchewan, we met an Indian family in small
canoes journeying towards the mouth of the Red River. The
family consisted of a young Indian, his wife and two little
children. The father was born on the shores of Lake
Winnipeg, and had never travelled east of the lake. After a
few words passed between him and a half-breed Ojibway from
Lake Superior, (Wigwam) they shook hands and proclaimed
themselves related to one another. Each belonged, as I was
informed, to the tribe which bore the name of the ‘Bear’ and
having by some means which Wigwan could not or would not
explain, ascertained this fact, they spoke to one another as
brothers. A similar relationship was established between
Wigwam and another Ojibway on Moss River, solely as he
informed me, because his own and his newly found friend
belonged to a tribe whose distinctive name was the ‘Bear.’
The Cree half-breeds told me that in their communication
with the Ojibway of Lake Winnipeg, and further west, the
recognition of relationship not infrequently took place
between individuals who met for the first time and who were
born and lived in districts far apart (Hind 113).
Political
Implications of Marriage
Interviewer - Earle Waugh, PhD.
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