THE MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 



187 



finely controverted by experience, when they are established 

 in villages and properly superintended. There is no inhe- 

 rent defect in the organization of the Indians which disqua- 

 lifies them from being reclaimed from their savage state. 

 Their general amelioration or marked advance towards 

 civilization, must be the result of long and patient labour, 

 and the development of many years. The absence of 

 action in carrying out the several plans suggested has been 

 most prejudicial to the Indians, yet among the experi- 

 ments which have been tried, the results in some in- 

 stances have shown how much can be accomplished for 

 this interesting people when zealous and painstaking 

 officers are intrusted with their superintendence and 

 guidance. 



Perhaps no better illustration of the results attending 

 the isolation of Indians, and their instruction in the arts 

 of civilization, can be afforded than that offered by the 

 Manitoulin Islands.* 



In 1836 Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis Head, pro- 

 posed to collect on Manitoulin, not only the wandering 

 bands on the north shore of Lake Huron, but also the 

 tribes settled in all parts of Upper Canada. f 



The scheme was a failure, the only Indians availing 



* The Great Manitoulin Island at the head of Lake Huron is 135 miles 

 long, and from 20 to 25 miles broad. The shores of the island are hilly, and 

 clothed with cedar, pine, and birch. The soil of the hills is stony and 

 barren. In the interior of the island are about 20 lakes, some fully 15 to 

 18 miles long, and from 8 to 10 miles wide, and from 3 to 20 fathoms deep. 

 They abound with trout, pike, white fish, &c. The extent of arable land on 

 the island is about one-third of its area. The trees on the arable land are 

 elm, maple, birch, cherry, and a few oak and beech. The climate is 

 remarkably healthy. — Description of the Great Manitoulin by the Roman 

 Catholic Missionaries, 



t See Report of the Special Commissioners, appointed on the 8th Sep- 

 tember, 1856, to investigate Indian affairs in Canada. Printed by order of 

 the Legislative Assembly, 1858. 



