SITKA INDIANS 



*57 



they were, what was the name of the place, and on other 

 matters ; but as the Russians could speak no Tlinkit, and the 



TLINKIT CARVINGS. 



Indians no Russian, they did not very well understand each 

 other. The Indians told the Russians that they were the 

 Sitko, the people from that village ; but the Russians under- 

 stood them to mean that this was the nameof the place where 

 they were camped, and so they called it Sitka, and Sitka 

 it has been ever since, although the real Sitko is far away. 



At Sitka as everywhere on the coast, the houses of the 

 Indians are built close above the beach. In exterior ap- 

 pearance they do not differ from those of the white man, 

 but usually there is 

 only a single room 

 within on the ground 

 floor. Occasionally a 

 house front is orna- 

 mented with elabor- 

 ate paintings, in the 

 old style. 



The Indians still 

 observe many of their old customs and possess not a few 

 of their ancient ceremonial and religious dresses, though 



PAINTING ON FRONT OF HOUSE OF CHIEF 

 ANNAHOOTS, SITKA. 



