CHAPTER XXXIX. 



The Indians of the North. 



the crees and the chippewayans — the sioux and the black- 

 feet — their homes, their hunts and their habits — slaves 

 of the hudson's bay company. 



RIEF as it is, this sketch of the Indians cannot include the 

 natives in the far north-west. I have already briefly noticed 

 / Q)J these in the journey from the Pacific to Hudson's Bay. For 

 the present we shall refer only to those occupying the 

 Hudson's Bay basin. These consist of Crees, Sioux, Blackfeet and 

 Chippewayans. The Crees are by far the most numerous and wide- 

 spread. They, with the Chippewayans, may be called the thick wood 

 Indians, while the Sioux and Blackfeet are the plain or prairie Indians. 

 The latter, notwithstanding the influences of civilization, retain 

 most of their savage customs. They wear but little clothing, and 

 in the summer season go entirely naked, wearing only the breech- 

 cloth. They paint their faces in hideous colours, and decorate their 

 heads with feathers. 



The Indians generally appropriate every piece of cloth, of any 

 kind, that comes into their possession, for clothing. Flour sacks 

 are generally made into jackets for young squaws, by cutting a hole 

 in the bottom for the head, and arm-holes at each side. It is then 

 drawn on over the head. One of these was made so that the brand 

 " Princess Louise " and a portrait of H. R. H. printed in blue ink 

 came on the breast. This was thought to be a very gay dress, and 

 the Indian girl who wore it was very proud of the ornament, without, 

 I think, knowing whose likeness it was, or caring either. 



Cleanliness is not one of the virtues of these northern Indians. 

 Indeed, they are for the most part very filthy, and some of their 



