In North-Wfist Canada. 123 



whiskey. Though the force is scattered over the country at 

 Carlton, Battleford, Edmonton, Forts Pelly, McLeod, Res^ina, 

 Maple Creek, and other points hundreds of miles distant from 

 each other, the smallest detachment has always proved large 

 enough for any duty with which it has been entrusted — an 

 evidence of moral power that could have been acquired only 

 by a long course of just and considerate dealing. The Indian 

 policy of the Canadian Government is sometimes declared to 

 be a failure, and at other times is mildly censured as expen- 

 sive. Though by no means perfect, it may challenge compari- 

 son with that of the United States, or of any other civilized 

 nation towards a weaker race. Judged by its fruits — the 

 maintenance of order without shedding blood, and the steady 

 growth of a conviction among the Indians that the Govern- 

 ment means fairly by them — it may even be pronounced a 

 success. 



The camps of the Indians are scattered all over the North- 

 west ; they are generally situated beside a lake stocked with 

 fish, or near wooded valleys, the bushes of which are laden 

 with the Indian pear, or rich Sasketoon berries. A peculiar 

 rite of the Indians inhabiting these parts is the " Dog Feast." 

 This feast is celebrated once a year at the principal points at 

 which the Indians congregate in summer, either for the purpose 

 of fishing or receiving their annuities, or treaty-money. In the 

 midst of the proceedings which are conducted with the utmost 

 gravity by the principal medicine-man of the band, a dog is 

 slain, cut np, cooked and eaten. Although called the Feast of 

 the White Dog, and this colour is preferred, a dog of any other 

 colour will answer the purpose. The ceremony appears to have 

 some analogy to the Hebrew passover, but its origin and mean- 

 ing are lost in obscurity, as is the case with most of the relig- 

 ious observances of the Indians. 



The extermination of the buffalo has been a serious loss to- 

 the Indians, and they have now to content themselves with 

 the flesh of the deer, antelope, hares, ducks and geese, not bad 

 fare either, and they are experts with both rod and gun. Ten 

 years ago there were a few small herds of buffaloes still exist- 



