Third Grade
Worksheets
Beothuks: The Red People of Canada
Caption: photo from a Beothuk archaeological site near Gander/Twillingate, NF
The Beothuks were a native people who lived in Newfoundland. They loved to use a red ochre paint all over themselves. Because of the brightness of the paint, other native people called the Beothuk the "Red People." When Europeans came to Newfoundland, they called the Beothuk "Red Indians."
The Beothuk were thought to have come to Newfoundland around 50 BC. They lived on the northeast and southern coasts of the island. The people hunted mainly seals and caribou. During winter snows the Beothuk used snowshoes. They also caught fish with spears and gathered the eggs of water birds. For centuries the people used stone knives, spears, and harpoons, along with bows and arrows in their daily life. It wasn't until after Europeans came that they learned about iron tools.
