The Last of the Beothuk: A Canadian Tragedy

Susan Manitowabi is an assistant professor of Native Human Services at
Laurentian University in Sudbury.

Who could have predicted that the Beothuk would be doomed to extinction
with the appearance of European sailing vessels?

The tragic story of the Beothuk begins with their growing dismay at the
invasion of the European people into their territories. The Beothuk were
forced to abandon a lifestyle they had known for centuries and to endure
harsh conditions in an unfamiliar inland environment. Simply for
retaliating against the Europeans for their encroachment on their land,
the Beothuk gained an unfair reputation for being a hostile, aggressive,
and even savage people.

This negative stereotype dissipated over time. By the time of
Shanawdithit’s capture, the Beothuk were generally recognized as
“[a] people of profound human dignity, courage and integrity.” But
the change in attitude came far too late: Shanawdithit, it turned out,
was to be the last of the Beothuk.

The Last of the Beothuk: A Canadian Tragedy is a heart-wrenching and
historically accurate account of the demise of a tragically
misunderstood people.