Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-30-2014

Department

Geography

Department

Geography

Abstract

This research is concerned with developing a historical baseline of Canadian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal maple practices and the contribution of these activities to the well-being (WB) of communities up to approximately 1950. This research measures WB using two unique frameworks developed for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities associated with maple products and practices. In order to describe WB in historical contexts the research used archival data obtained primarily from Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and Early Canadiana Online (ECO). Results from the research showed that in Aboriginal communities, dynamics related to emotional, physical and mental WB were referenced the most often among results. In non-Aboriginal communities economic and social dynamics of WB were identified as important influences of WB. Dynamics related to resilience were also found in the non-Aboriginal results. Furthermore, the research identified dynamics related to governance as important pieces of the historical contexts of maple products within Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The role of early government rules and regulations associated with maple products and the impacts of the Indian Act on Aboriginal maple producers are further explored and discussed. This research concludes by outlining the areas where more research remains to be completed.

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