disease, starvation, and Northern Athapaskan social organization

Prevailing theories of precontact Northern Athapaskan social organization assume environmental severity and periodic famine. An analysis of the effects of several postcontact factors, including severe and constant disease, the possible concurrence of disease and starvation, and trade‐related variables, on the population of the Kutchin suggests modifications in the prevailing theories. Specifically, it is proposed that bilocal and bilateral organization among Mackenzie Drainage Athapaskans may result from postcontact factors and that matriorganization was characteristic in the precontact period.