188 ASSINNIB01NE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



themselves of the offer being some from the United 

 States, and from the shores of Lake Superior and Huron. 

 The village of Manitouaning was built by the Canadian 

 Government, and placed under the management of a 

 resident superintendent, assisted by a clergyman, a surgeon, 

 and a schoolmaster. Artisans were induced to go there 

 and take charge of workshops, in which Indians were to 

 be taught useful mechanical trades. Contributions from 

 private parties to aid in the work were obtained through 

 the exertions of the missionary and others. The popula- 

 tion in 1843 was estimated at 90 individuals. The only 

 other village on the island at that time was Wikwemikong, 

 founded previous to 1836 by Ottawa Indians from Mi- 

 chigan, who had long been converted from heathenism by 

 Eoman Catholic missionaries and possessed some know- 

 ledge of agriculture before their arrival on the island. In 

 1843, this village contained 73 Indian houses and was 

 estimated to comprise 376 individuals. There were also 

 a church, a school-house and a saw-mill, together with a 

 house for the missionary and one for the schoolmaster. 



In 1857 the total Indian population of the island was 

 1290, being composed of 977 Catholics, 104 Protestants*, 

 and 145 Pagans, occupying 13 stationary villages and 

 60 birch-bark tents. With respect to the Protestant 

 village of Manitouaning the Commissioners said in 1857 : 

 "Many of the buildings are deserted and ruinous — the 

 school-house is dilapidated and untenable, and the work- 

 shops from which the mechanics are withdrawn, are des- 

 titute of tools, deserted by the Indians who formerly 

 worked there', and in an utter state of decay. The church 

 is in tolerable repair, but we found no Indian attending 

 the services." 



* The Protestant missionaries claim 117 converts on the island. 



