How did the Aboriginals use the land of Canada?

Answer 1

Aborigines were resourceful people who extracted a variety of colours from their natural environment.

They obtained red, orange, dark purple, brown and orange from grinding ochre to a powder. Ochre was found naturally in rock stained by iron, which would give it the reddish hues.

Yellow was obtained by mixing clay, or by collecting pebbles that contained a limonite-stained form of kaolin.

White also came from the kaolin, or even white clays. Calcite, a chalky mineral, as well as ash are used to make white pigments. Calcite occurs naturally in calcrete deposits.

Black was obtained from charcoal, and could be mixed with kaolin to make grey.

Dark green was made from plant colourings.

Tree bark, crushed shells and blood also gave variety of colour. The availability of some colours are peculiar to the area that the artist finds himself in.

These paint bases were mixed with fluids such as saliva, blood, tree sap or yolk of various birds' eggs to help them adhere.

Twigs, fibres and fingers were used for painting to get different strokes like a paint brush.

Answer 2

As all hunter gathers world wide did. The land supplied the water, the animals, the plants, all the food, shelter and tools needed to survive. Actually that hasn't changed, only the methods have.

Answer 3

The aboriginals used contemporary art techniques. They made use of the dot technique, an ancient and traditional way of painting.

Answer 4

Hair spray. Lots and lots of hairspray.