REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION 



It will be observed that the Commission held no meetings and took no 

 evidence outside of Ottawa. Your commissioners had contemplated the taking 

 of evidence in Western Canada, and especially at certain points on the Pacific 

 coast, where it was thought probable that more or less direct information would 

 be available as to the work of the United States Government in establishing 

 reindeer herds in Alaska, and the conditions under which that industry was, 

 and is being carried on. 



Your commissioners also discussed the advisability of visiting the Yukon 

 Territory and Alaska for the purpose of seeing conditions for themselves, and at 

 the same time securing the testimony of residents possessing actual experience 

 and local knowledge. 



These plans were, however, not carried out, inasmuch as owing to pressure 

 of other duties your commissioners were unable to devote to them the time 

 which would have been necessary. 



It was found possible to secure in Ottawa most, if not all, of the available 

 evidence bearing upon conditions in the northern portions of the western pro- 

 vinces and our own Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, while your commissioners 

 felt that in so far as Alaska was concerned, the official reports of the United 

 States Government which deal in minute detail with the reindeer situation as 

 it exists there, could very properly be accepted in lieu of evidence. 



Rolling Prairie, Herschel Island. 



A statement of the facts as summarized from these documents, including 

 extracts from the evidence of Dr. E. W. Nelson, Chief of the United States Bureau 

 of Biological Survey, before the Committee on Appropriations at Washington, 

 D.C., is attached as Appendix No. II to this report. 



By the Order in Council, your commissioners were directed to investigate 

 and report as to the feasibility of the development of herds of domesticated 

 reindeer and musk-ox in Northern Canada. 



This investigation has naturally involved the study of many other phases 

 of the situation, having a more or less direct bearing upon the main issue. These 

 include not only such matters as vegetation, soil, climate, topography and surface 

 conditions, but also the questions of the conservation and further provision of 

 a food supply for the natives and such whites as may from time to time have to 

 subsist on the country. 



12 



