WESTERN TRIBES. 31 



the policy of the Hudson's Bay Company to employ 



many of the young natives, during the summer, in 



navigating their boats to the depots, and back again 



to the outposts. By these trips prejudices are 



broken down ; the youth acquire information and 



habits of labour and steady industry, and, being 



well paid, the clothing they purchase gives them 



respectability in the eyes of their countrymen. 



A generation has passed away since the whole 



Indian country was demoralised by the opposition 



of trading companies, and the present race of Chepe- 



wyans are ignorant of the use of spirituous liquors. 



Of the nations belonging to the 'Tinne stock who 



inhabit the country west of the Rocky Mountains, 



the Td-kuli or Carriers occupy the greater part of 



New Caledonia. They subsist chiefly on fish, and 



their name denotes people employed on the waters. 



They burn their dead; the widow becomes the 



servant of the relations, is harshly treated, and is 



compelled to carry about with her for several years 



the ashes of the deceased. AVhen the time of her 



trial ends, a feast is made by the kindred, and she 



is at liberty to marry again. A custom somewhat 



similar prevails among the Chippeways. The 



Tsitka-ni, who dwell between the Stikeen and 



Simpson's Rivers to the north of the Carriers, are 



said also to be of the same stock. They bury 



their dead, and are hunters. 



