B.C. First Peoples is a very interconnected course where every bit of information we learn connects and builds upon our previous learnings in meaningful ways to deepen our understanding. At this point in our BCFP journey, we started by exploring the many branches of anthropology and their importance in understanding human societies; afterwards, we then carried on to learn about how to utilize an anthropological perspective when analyzing a historical artifact. We worked together to create this resource: Digging Deeper: An Artifact Resource. Finally, to tie everything together we considered how anthropology can be used to understand BC’s history, with our overarching question for the project being:

How might we use an anthropological perspective to better understand the history of British Columbia?

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What is Anthropology?

Obviously to answer the big question we have to have a solid understanding of anthropology itself. Anthropology has many layers but at its heart it is, simply put, the study of what makes humans human. It focuses on human societies and cultures, and how they are developed and evolve over time. Anthropologists analyze the past and present, in addition to analyzing traditions and customs from different cultures, helping us to appreciate diversity. It challenges ethnocentrism by viewing history through different perspectives rather than one dominant narrative, allowing us to have a deeper understanding of how human experiences are shaped and connected.

The 4 main branches of anthropology include:

Biological Anthropology:

• The study of the evolution of human beings and their living and fossil relatives – Biological anthropologists look at physical developments in skeletal and genetic makeup and how they are interconnected with social and cultural behaviours over time – Ex. by studying primates and comparing them to humans now we can understand how humans have evolved.

Cultural Anthropology:

• Cultural anthropology is the study of learnt behaviour including language, belief systems, social structures and material goods – Cultural anthropologists base their work in ethnography which utilizes fieldwork, participation and observation to understand how different customs develop.

Linguistic Anthropology:

• The study of how language influences social life and how it shapes societies, cultural beliefs and understanding of themselves – Linguistic anthropologists look at what people say as they engage in their daily life – Relies on participation and interviews with participants – Some anthropologists help document native languages that are on the brink of extinction.

Archaeology:

• This is the study of the human past using material remains of objects of what people created, modified or used – Archaeologists examine objects and interpret the experiences, uses, and activities of others throughout history.

Artifact Analysis:

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The goal for our end project was to create a resource, via a virtual museum, where visitors could learn about specific Indigenous groups within B.C. through the analysis of artifacts. Thus, we each selected an artifact from the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) and conducted an in-depth anthropological analysis. I chose the Whalers Pole, which is a totem pole representing the Nuu-chah-nulth people’s connection to the practice of whaling. After researching and understanding the significance of the pole I crafted my analysis:  Artifact Analysis

Briefly, the Whalers Pole not only tells the story of the Nuu-chah-nulth people’s whaling traditions but also carries deep personal and cultural significance. It symbolizes their perseverance and resilience, particularly in the face of European attempts to assimilate Indigenous cultures and to erase their traditions. Totem poles continue to remain a strong representation of Indigenous identity, culture and history.

What stuck out to me during my research was that since the whale was such a valued resource if the whale hunt brought them to the territory of another nation they were obligated to go back to the nation and share or give an offering to that community before they could take the whale back to their own community. This practice highlights the mutual respect among neighbouring nations, illustrating how communities can coexist and support one another. 

The Virtual Museum:

After completing our individual analysis it was time to compile all of them to create our virtual museum. Each person in our class chose a different artifact from the MOA and explored its anthropological connections, the story and purpose behind the artifact and the culture associated with it. If you would like to check it out, here’s the link: Digging Deeper: An Artifact Resource

After analyzing the Whalers Pole, I realized how deeply the practice of whaling was integrated into the Nuu-chah-Nulth culture. Examining it through the lens of cultural anthropology helped me see how it reflects their belief systems, social structures, and traditions. It showed me that anthropology is essential for uncovering BC’s history.

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How might we use an anthropological perspective to better understand the history of British Columbia?

Anthropology is essential to understanding and uncovering BC’s history. Instead of just looking at the facts of what happened, anthropology helps us understand how and why societies evolved, the values that shape them and the resilience of communities over time. However, it is important to maintain a critical eye for bias when learning through an anthropological lens; for example, BC’s history has often been told from a European perspective focusing on the settlement and creating a bustling economy and industry taking over the land. As a consequence, this narrative is a biased one as it does not acknowledge the fact that British Columbia is full of Indigenous cultures like the Coast Salish and Nisga’a nations, and their history.

Cultural Anthropology:

• helps us understand traditions, social structures and belief systems 
• shows how Indigenous communities lived and governed themselves and how they adapted over time 

Linguistic Anthropology: 

• Helps us document and preserve Indigenous languages (especially endangered languages) – languages are deeply tied to cultural identity 
• Many of these languages were threatened by colonial policies making their revitalization and survival crucial 

Archaeology:

• allows us to learn from artifacts, such as the Whaler’s pole I analyzed or an actual harpoon the Nuu-chah-nulth used to whale
• these objects tell stories of cultural practices spiritual beliefs and daily life in ways that written records cannot

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Stories as History:

One value BCFP has taught us is the power and strength of storytelling in preserving and understanding history. Artifacts and oral traditions carry knowledge in a way that written records and dates simply cannot. By analyzing artifacts, we don’t just see objects – we see the stories they carry, and this is because storytelling is powerful. It creates a sense of social connection (a core human need), allowing people to step into history rather than just obverse it. In comparison, facts on their own can feel distant and disconnected; whereas stories bring out emotion and meaning. They help us understand history not just as a sequence of events but as an experience people had to live through. When emotions are felt this creates a stronger memory and retention of what is learned. Many studies have looked at the connection between storytelling and memory and I can say, personally, I can understand and feel compelled to learn more when we simply just watch a video of a person telling their real-life stories. They help us feel, relate and truly understand history beyond the surface. 

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