The Lost Code

Adapting to a New Land

Canadian Militiaman

Musée de la civilisation, bibliothèque du Séminaire de Québec.
« Canadiens en raquette allant en guerre sur la nege [sic] » in : Bacqueville de La Potherie, M. de. Histoire de l'Amerique septentrionale. Paris : J.-L. Nion et F. Didot, 1722. Vol. 1, p. 51. Loc. 27.1.3

Colonists had to adapt to a new land. They borrowed many everyday objects from aboriginal culture: snowshoes and toboggans to get around in the snow, birch canoes, moccasins (which became the colonial footwear of choice), mitasses (or leggings made of strips of fabric wound around the legs), and clothing made out of fur. Corn, pumpkin, squash, beans, passenger pigeon, moose, and bear were new additions to their diet.

Colonists' houses were adapted to winter. Deep foundations stood up better to shifts in the ground caused by freezing and thawing. Wood walls provided better insulation than stone. Porches gave people space to move around without walking in the snow. The eaves protruding from the roof allowed the snow to slide off. No windows were built into walls exposed to the wind. Doors and windows were double. All cracks that could let in wind were sealed. A fireplace was used to heat the common room where people lived.