62 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



settling on the banks of the St. Lawrence, and the great lakes from 



States, but also sent detachments to the northward as far as the banks 

 of the River Mississippi and the shores of Hudson's Bay. The prin- 

 cipal of their northern tribes are now known under the names of 

 Saulteurs or Chippeways, and Crees; the former inhabiting the country 

 betwixt Lakes Winipeg and Superior, the latter frequenting the 

 shores of Hudson's Bay, from Moose to Churchill, and the country 

 from thence as far to the westward as the plains which lie betwixt the 

 forks of the Saskatchawan. 



These Crees, formerly known by the French Canadian traders 

 under the appellation of Knisteneaux, generally designate themselves 

 as Eithinyoowuc (men ), or, when they wish to discriminate them- 

 selves from the other Indian nations, as Nathehwywithinyoowuc 

 (Southern-men) # . 



* Much confusion has arisen from the great variety of names, applied without discrimi- 

 nation to the various tribes of Saulteurs and Crees. Heckewelder considers the Crees of 

 Moose Factory to be a branch of that tribe of the Lenape, which is named Minsi, or Wolf 

 Tribe. He has been led to form this opinion, from the similarity of the name given to 

 these people by Monsieur J eremie, namely, Monsonies ; but the truth is, that their real 

 name is Mongsoa-eythinyoowuc, or Moose-deer Indians ; hence the name of the factory 

 and river on which it is built. The name Knisteneaux, Kristeneaux, or Killisteneaux, was 

 anciently applied to a tribe of Crees, now termed Maskegons, who inhabit the river Wi- 

 nipeg. This small tribe still retains the peculiarities of customs and dress, for which it was 

 remarkable many years ago, as mentioned by Mr. Henry, in the interesting account of his 

 journeys in these countries. They are said to be great rascals. The great body of the Crees 

 were at that time named Opimmitish Ininiwuc, or Men of the Woods. It would, how- 

 ever, be an endless task to attempt to determine the precise people designated by the early 

 French writers. Every small band, naming itself from its hunting grounds, was described 

 as a different nation. The Chippeways who frequented the Lake of the Woods were 

 named from a particular act of pillage— Pilliers, or Robbers : and the name Saulteurs, ap- 

 plied to a principal band that frequented the Sault St. Marie, has been by degrees extended 

 to the whole tribe. It is frequently pronounced and written Sotoos. 



