INTKODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 65 



The autleis which have beeu shed have been collected, and await 

 the arrival of the apparatus for making glue. The herd has constantly 

 been in excellent condition, and at this writing the new antlers are from 

 12 to 20 inches long, the best possible evidence of thrift. 



It may be stated here that, taking all the circumstances into con- 

 sideration, the wintering of the herd and ^particularly the increase have 

 been entirely successful. 



HERDERS AND ArPRENTICES. 



As you doubtless observed during your visit here last fall, our Lapp 

 herders did not receive the warmest welcome from the people who are 

 supposed to have influence among the Eskimos. It may be stated 

 that the importation of Lapps was the most sensible measure that 

 could have been adopted in connection with the reindeer enterprise 

 in Alaska, for in this, as in all other things, a good beginning must be 

 made if the end is to be good. The necessity of importing Lapps and 

 the improvements thereby secured will be plain to you and to any- 

 one who will take the trouble to read this report. The dissatisfaction 

 was expressed and shown distinctly on every occasion. It was soon 

 learned that the dissatisfaction and the variety of stories concerning 

 the Lapps had s^^read among the Eskimos. This fact was plain, from 

 many exj)ressions made by the apprentices. It became necessary to 

 make it clear, both to the apprentices and to the other Eskimos, that the 

 Lapps were an intelligent and skilled people, both as regards taking 

 care of reindeer and as to other things. 



There was some anxiety on account of these strange relations which 

 had sprung up without any cause whatever, and I was uncertain as to 

 what it might lead to in the long run. Good relations between the 

 herders and the apprentices Avas of paramount importance in securing 

 a good result, and such a good understanding had to be brought about 

 even if one of the sides had to make some sacrifice. When the Lapps 

 had become informed in regard to the cause of this strange relation and 

 its want of respect for them as if they were incapable and useless, 

 it was made clear to them that the only way to gain the respect 

 of the Eskimos was to demonstrate their superiority in fact, and they 

 lost no opportunity of showing these i)eople how superior they were 

 in every respect. I am glad to be able to report that the relations 

 very rapidly improved, particularly between the Lapps and apprentices, 

 and the feelings between them have grown better day by day. The 

 apprentices, at least most of them, have long since discovered their 

 inferiority and seen how much they have to learn from these peoi)le. 

 We have now reached a point where no apprentice uiidertakes to do 

 anything before he has consulted one of the Lapps, so far as the lan- 

 guages make it possible. 



The relations between the Lapps and outsiders are also pleasant, for 

 the Lapps have often given valuable assistance and i)ointcd out how 

 S. Doc. Ill 5 



