Was Shanawdithit really the last Beothuk?
One of the longstanding myths Canada loves to tell itself is Indigenous people are no longer here
For the final episode of the season, the Secret Life of Canada looks into the history of the Beothuk, Indigenous people of the Island of Newfoundland. Often written about as extinct, many accounts state that only one member of the Beothuk survived into the late 1820s and her name was Shanawdithit. But, is this true or does this fit into Canadian mythology, that Indigenous people are no longer here?
Falen and Leah look into terrible 90s movies like Last of the Mohicans to try and find out why the premise of a single Indigenous survivor has become romanticised in popular culture. Then, they talk to Algonquin/Irish writer (and the podcast's story editor) Yvette Nolan about what she learned when writing an opera about Shanawdithit's life and legacy.
Key References
- Tracing Ochre: Changing Perspectives on the Beothuk Edited by Fiona Polack
- Beothuk The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Shawnadithit The Canadian Encyclopedia
- The Beothuk Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador
- Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians
- Canada A People's History: Episode 1 When the World Began 15000 BC to 1800 AD
- Beothuk Interpretation Centre Provincial Historic Site Newfoundland and Labrador
- Thought to be extinct, Beothuk DNA is present in living families, genetics researcher finds CBC News
- Shanawdithit Tapestry Opera
