The Beothuk: A Vanished Indigenous People of Newfoundland and Labrador

Beothuk was a group of indigenous people who lived in what is now the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. They were the original inhabitants of the island, and their name means "people" or "human beings." The Beothuk were a distinct culture and language group, and they had a unique way of life that was adapted to the harsh coastal environment of Newfoundland.

The Beothuk were known for their expertise in hunting and fishing, and they were skilled at making tools and weapons from the resources available to them. They were also known for their intricate basketry and pottery, which they used in their daily lives and as trade items with other communities.

Unfortunately, the Beothuk population was decimated by European colonization and disease, and by the early 19th century, there were only a few dozen Beothuk left. The last known full-blooded Beothuk, Shanawdithit, died in 1829, and with her death, the Beothuk as a distinct cultural group ceased to exist. However, their legacy lives on in the place names, artifacts, and oral traditions that have been passed down through generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.