Abstract

This paper presents another example of the importance of returning to the primary source when doing ethnohistoric research. Almost all our information regarding the historic Beothuck is derived from European records of Beothuck behaviour and material culture. The only surviving evidence of a Beothuck individual directly representing their own culture is the set of drawings by Shanawdithit, the last known Beothuck Indian. Examination of the original drawings, part of the Newfoundland Provincial Museum's permanent collection, revealed that some of the original details have been altered or are completely missing from the most well known versions illustrated in James P. Howley's 1915 classic, The Beothucks or Red Indians: The Aboriginal Inhabitants of Newfoundland. In fact it is apparent that the original drawings with their accompanying explanatory notes (as transcribed by W.E. Cormack from conversations with Shanawdithit) were not available to Howley. These differences in the drawings and notes are presented, with a focus on the new information and suggested interpretation regarding historic Beothuck animal usage.