INTR296

One of the interesting angles that I see here is the question of the difference between 'subsistence' as something that individuals do (singly? as family units?), and something that a collectivity ("the tribe") does. In the modern off-Rez world, it's more and more an individual matter; our romantic view of pre-Contact peoples may emphasize/privilege organic unity and cooperation. So the empirical question may be: what's the reality of today's O'odham subsistence?

hey. Nicely put; I think maybe still a bit broad but looking at ours I think all will probably be so until more research is conducted. In response to Hugh's comment, I think the answer will cme out of looking at changes that have occurred as a result of contact. Movement from communal to individual I feel is inherent in the cultural influence from the Euro-American contact.

I think another angle might be thinking of religion itself as the most basic need. Does religion spawn from ways of subsitence or do the Tohono's methods of subsistence spawn from religion?

To echo Anne, I think it will be interesting to investigate the effects of contact on subsistance. I know for our topic, changes in subsistance has a large influence on health.

Also too, I am noticing how it is important to understand the precontact creed of the O'Odham. How did they keep their physical world in balance? What activities did they do to ensure lifeways? Was contact a sign that balance with subsistence was out of that equilibrium? Good thesis in general!

Your 'core' idea seems very logical. Do you think the O'Odham would agree with culture and religion falling secondary to food, water, and shelter? Can one be switched for another in certain circumstances, like shelter be switched for culture? How have family structures been changed since contact, and thus where the person lives been changed?

Great work guys. Only a few comments

Subsistence -- Justin and Haynes. Your focus on food, water, and shelter is right on target as is your observation on the connection between subsistence and these basic needs. My only comment is this: is it necessarily the case that religious beliefs and practices are nothing but mechanisms to fulfill these needs? Can some of them originate independent of concern for survival?

I think the questions cover the goals of the investigation well. One aspect of subsistance is that the native peoples survived in a desert. I think that is a massive feat in itself. I think acknowledging the key innovations and practices that allowed these communities in a "harsh" enviroment is important to understand this susistance system.