192 ASSIOT1B0INE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



The present condition of the several villages which have 

 been built by Government for the Indians in different 

 parts of Canada, reveals a deplorable condition of decay 

 into which long continued neglect has brought them. 

 " The Indian is content to inhabit a hovel so dilapidated 

 as to be hardly tenantable, without exerting himself to put 

 it into repair." This lamentable state of affairs appears to 

 occur only in the absence of strict supervision. 



The northern coasts of Lakes Huron and Superior re- 

 mained in the occupancy of nomadic bands of Ojibway 

 Indians until the year 1850, when the whole of this vast 

 extent of country with the exception of certain reserves 

 was surrendered to the Canadian Government for the sum 

 of $16,640 paid down and $4,400 in perpetual annuity, 

 of which $2,400 is payable to the tribes on Lake Huron 

 and $2,000 is divided among those inhabiting the shores 

 of Lake Superior. 



The number of Indians inhabiting the northern shores 

 of Lake Huron in 1850 was only 1,422 and of Lake 

 Superior 1,240, making a total Indian population of 2,662 

 souls over an extent of country exceeding England in area, 

 and not yet approached by civilization except at the Hud- 

 son's Bay Company's posts, and at a few mining locations. 

 Of the 1,422 Indians on the north shore of Lake Huron 

 317 are Christians, divided as follows : — Catholics 294, 

 Wesley ans 20, Church of England three. Many of these 

 Indians, it may be with propriety mentioned here, visit 

 Manitouaning, on Manitoulin Island.* 



* The Commissioners state that " These tribes live for the most part by- 

 hunting, and on the produce of their fisheries, although they do raise a few 

 potatoes, and a little Indian corn ; and they find a market for disposing of 

 their peltries and supplying themselves with necessaries at the posts of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company. They are quite nomadic in their habits ; seldom 

 living or remaining long in one spot, and contented with the shelter afforded 



