I would suggest you read 1491: The Americas before Columbus. Many reports spoke of the natives burning every summer, and describe the forests of North America as well managed as the Parklands in England.
That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.
Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc
The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Northern US, Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.
I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate raw to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves. Six people huddled together in about 15 sq ft snow cave with a seal blubber oil candle to keep warm.
Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.
I would suggest you read 1491: The Americas before Columbus. Many reports spoke of the natives burning every summer, and describe the forests of North America as well managed as the Parklands in England.
That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.
Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc
The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Northern US, Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.
I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate raw to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves. Six people huddled together in about 15 sq ft snow cave with a seal blubber oil candle to keep warm.
Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.
I'm not into fiction