t37G E.M'KDniux TO thl 



CHArTER VIII. 



Account of the Dacotas or Sioux Indians. Their dim- 

 sions into tribes. Their numbers, language, manners 

 and customs. Notice of TVanatan, principal chief of 

 the Yanktoanan tribe. Description of the Columbia' 

 Fur Compani/''s establishment on Lake Travers. 



WE have collected together all the information which 

 we have obtained on the subject of the Dacotas. It results, 

 either froni our OAvn observations, or from conversations 

 with those able to communicate facts, either at Prairie du 

 Chien, Fort St, Anthony, or Lake Travers. He, who has 

 contributed most to it, is Renville ; we are aware that all 

 the information which he has given us cannot be depend- 

 ed upon. He was uneducated, not free from prejudices, not 

 entirely exempt from the superstitions of his mother's 

 countrymen. His opportunities of improvement, but more 

 especially his inquiring mind, had made him sceptical up- 

 on many points ; still upon some he appeared credulous. 

 We believe it not impossible, that he may sometimes have 

 attempted to give information which he did not possess, or 

 to exaggerate truths into fictions,* We, at the time, care- 

 fully recorded all that he told us, and have since made use 

 of but such parts as appeared to us correct, endeavouring 

 to omit all that may have sprung from ignorance, credu- 

 lity, or a taste for the marvellous. 



The Dacotas are a large and powerful nation of Indians 

 distinct in their manners, language, habits, and opinions, 

 from th^ Chippewas, Sauks, Foxes, and Naheawak or Kil- 



