80 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



METHODS OP CHOOSING AND INSTALLING COUNCILLORS AND 



CHIEFS. 



The four women councillors of the gens are chosen by the 

 heads of households — themselves being women. There is 

 no formal election, but frequent discussion is had over the 

 matter from time to time, in which a sentiment grows up 

 within the gens and throughout the tribe that, in the event 

 of the death of any councillor, a certain person will take 

 her place. 



In this manner there is usually one, two, or more poten- 

 tial councillors in each gens who are expected to attend all 

 the meetings of the council, though they take no part in the 

 deliberations and have no vote. 



When a woman is installed as councillor a feast is pre- 

 pared by the gens to which she belongs, and to this feast all 

 the members of the tribe are invited. The woman is painted 

 and dressed in her best attire and the sachem of the tribe 

 places upon her head the gentile chaplet of feathers, and 

 announces in a formal manner to the assembled guests that 

 the woman has been chosen a councillor. The ceremony is 

 followed by feasting and dancing, often continued late into 

 the night. 



The gentile chief is chosen by the council woman after 

 consultation with the other women and men of the gens. 

 Often the gentile chief is a potential chief through a period 

 of probation. During this time he attends the meetings of 

 the council, but takes no part in the deliberations, and has 

 no vote. 



At his installation, the council women invest him with 

 an elaborately ornamented tunic, place upon his head a 

 chaplet of feathers, and paint the gentile totem on his face. 

 The sachem of the tribe then announces to the people that 

 the man has been made chief of the gens, and admitted to 

 the council. This is also followed by a festival. 



The sachem of the tribe is selected by the men belonging 

 to the council of the tribe. Formerly the sachemship in- 



