1*74 b 



GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



Present popula- 

 tion of the 

 islands. 



Number of the 

 Kai-ga-ni. 



Ultimate 

 destiny of the 

 Haidas. 



The present population of the northern end of the Queen Charlotte 

 Islands is roughly estimated by Mr. Collison, the missionary there, to 

 number about 800. In Skidegate Inlet about 500 Haidas now remain, 

 and are probably nearly equally divided between the two villages above 

 described. Without referring in detail to the other villages, for which 

 no sufficiently precise information was obtained, it is probable that the 

 total population of the islands at the present time is from 1*700 to 2000. 

 In this estimate it is iutended to include all the Haidas belonging to 

 the islands, even those who live most of the time away from their 

 native villages. Prom Skidegate Inlet and places south of it, a large 

 proportion of the natives are always absent, generally in Victoria. 

 From the north end of the islands comparatively few go to Victoria, 

 while a good many resort to Fort Wrangel and other northern settle- 

 ments. 



The number of the people of the same stock in the southern part of 

 Alaska, who may be classed together as Kai-ga-ni, is estimated by Mr. 

 W. H. Dall at 300* 



Notwithstanding the alarmingly rapid decrease of the Haida people 

 during the century, it is not probable that the nation is fated to utter 

 extinction. Like other tribes brought suddenly in contact with the 

 whites, they will reach, if they have not already arrived at, a certain 

 critical point, having passed which they will continue to maintain 

 their own, or even to grow in numbers. As already indicated, the 

 Haidas show a special aptitude in construction, carving, and other 

 forms of handiwork; and it should be the endeavour of those interested 

 in their welfare to promote their education in the simpler mechanical 

 arts, by the practice of which they may be able to earn an honest 

 livelihood. "When the fisheries of the coast are properly developed, 

 the} 7 will also be found of great service as fishermen; and were there a 

 ready sale for cured fish, they might be taught so to improve their 

 native methods as to ensure a marketable product. Saw-mills must 

 soon spring up in the Queen Charlotte Islands to utilize their magni- 

 ficent timber, and it is probable that in the course of years broad acres 

 of fertile farms will extend where now unbroken forest stands. In 

 such industries as these the natives may also doubtless be enlisted, 

 but before they can be prosecuted justly the Indian title must be 

 disposed of This, in the case of these people, will be a matter of 

 considerable difficulty, for as we have already seen, they hold their 

 lands not in any loose general way, but have the whole of the islands 

 divided and apportioned off as the property of certain families, with 



* United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region ; 

 Contributions to North American Ethnology. Vol. I., p. 40. 



