Section II, 1888. f 59 1 Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada. 



VI. — A Grammar of llie Kwaxjiutl Language. 

 By 1\EV. At,fred J. Hall, Alort Bay, British Colum))ia. 



(Presented l)y \h: G. M. Dawson, May "0, ]88S.) 



Introductory. 



This grammar was not originally compiled for publication, but to assist those mis- 

 sionaries and teachers who should succeed me, to acquire a knowledge of the Kwâgiutl 

 language. When I first came amongst these Indians in 18*78, 1 experienced great difficixlty 

 .in obtaining a knowledge of the idiom of this language, and much that was then learned 

 had subsequently to be unlearned. I had perhaps finished ninety pages of manuscript 

 when Dr. G. M. Dawson, of the Geological Survey, visited our neighbourhood. Finding 

 that he took a great interest in Indian, I spoke of the work upon which I was then 

 engaged. He strongly advised me to complete the grammar, and suggested the Transac- 

 tions of the Royal Society of Canada as a medium of publication. 



There are doubtless many inaccuracies which are open to correction, but I trust there 

 is something in my work which will afford pleasure to the philologist, and I earnestly 

 hope it may prove an assistance to those who wish to gain a knowledge of Kwâgiutl, in 

 order that they may ameliorate the condition of these Indians. 



The KwactIutl People. 



The Kwâgiutl Language is spoken by the Indians who live on the north of Vancouver 

 Island and the adjoining coast of British Columbia. They were once a powerful nation, 

 and the terror of the Haida and Tsimsheans who had to pass their villages on their way 

 south. In 1858 they are said to have numbered 7,000, but the census taken in 1884 

 showed that there were less than 3,000 souls. The most southern village is that of the 

 LïkwîtldâAw at Cape Mudge ; the most northern that of the Gwâsila in Smith's Inlet. 

 The distance between these two is about 150 miles. There is great similarity in the lan- 

 guage spoken by the natives of River's Inlet, Bella Bella, and as far north as Gardiner's 

 Inlet, but I do not include these with the Kwâgiutl nation, as they do not form part of 

 Kwâgiutl Indian Agency. There are fourteen Kwâgiutl villages, all of which are on the 

 coast. Commencing from the south and proceeding north they are as follows : — 



A. — LikwitldaA-w. 



\. WÎ wekï Cape Mudgc. 



2. Wîwekum and Kwi/ifi Loiighhorovgli Inld. 



3. i«râfo"imâzï,s Salmon Hirer. 



