NO. 4 UPPER YUKON NATIVE CUSTOMS — SCHMITTER 3 



they cache it on the si)ot. In October they return to the river for 

 about two months, when they make snow-shoes, toboggans, and 

 other things for winter use. About the middle of January they 

 have a big time — "all same Christmas" — when they get out all their 

 cached meat and bring it to the river. They stay there till the meat 

 is nearly gone, and again go in search of game until the middle of 

 March, when the weather moderates, at which time they return to 

 the river banks. 



The native dog proves a most useful domestic animal during their 

 migratory movements. Each man owns a team of about five dogs, 

 employed in winter for pulling toboggans and sleds over the trails 

 and in the summer for hauling boats up the river banks. For inland 

 travel, when there is no snow, packs are tied over the dogs' backs. 

 Dogs are also used in hunting expeditions, as will be described later. 

 There is no affection between dog and master. The animal is simply 

 a beast of burden, never caressed, but thrashed unmercifully to se- 

 cure obedience. They are wolfish and snap viciously at any attempt 

 to caress; in fact, they are generally three-fourths to seven-eighths 

 wolf and always gaunt, being given very little food and left to pick 

 their own living. They live outdoors, even in the coldest weather. 

 With the thermometer 60 degrees below zero, I have seen them 

 sleeping comfortably curled up in the snow, protected by their woolly 

 hair, their heads hidden under their bushy tails. 



HABITATIONS 



These Indians formerly had no permanent dwellings, but lived 

 in tents of caribou skin covering a wicker framework. There was 

 a fire in the center of the tent, and the smoke escaped through a 

 hole in the roof around the tent-pole. When they moved they took 

 the skins with them, but left the frames, which are sometimes seen 

 still standing where Indians have not been for many years. They 

 are spoken of by prospectors as an "Indian sign." 



Most of these people now live in roughly built cabins, usually 

 with only one room, that serves for all purposes. The cabin is built 

 of logs, the chinks packed with moss. The roof is of saplings laid 

 side by side and covered with turf. The floor is laid directly on 

 the ground. There is usually but one window, and this cannot be 

 opened. The only ventilation is therefore from door to stove-pipe. 

 A small iron stove, that requires much attention, serves for heating 

 and cooking. A low home-made bunk in the corner or a mass of 

 •dirty rags on the floor usually comprises the sleeping quarters. 



