ALASKA SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN 1900. 
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The, native conditions here are similar to those of all other localities visited. 
The native is naturally indolent and improvident. In former times he lived in his 
crude way by hunting and fishing, with a feast thrown in when a dead whale drifted 
to his shores. Civilization has brought new wants, to supply which he is unwilling 
to exert himself, so he cries starvation, in which he is supported and badly advised by 
white squawmen who settle among them and eke out an easy, shiftless existence. 
Reports are frequently circulated by people who do not understand the situation, 
or, understanding it, willfully misrepresent it, implying that the canneries are a 
detriment to the native population; that they are taking away the food and that 
starvation must follow. From my experience in Alaska, in connection with the 
salmon question, it may be said that up to the present time 1 have found no truth in 
these reports. The canneries have not, so far, in any locality reduced the salmon so as 
to affect the native’s winter supply; instead of working an injury, they have been, and 
are, a benefit to him. They bring to him better methods for obtaining his fish, and, 
that which is of more importance, they bring money to all who are willing to work. 
Were the canneries to close to-day the native would be the principal sufferer. 
Judging from the appearance of the village at Afognak, and comparing it with 
other native communities in Alaska, there seems to lie little cause for complaint. 
The village has rather a neat and thrifty appearance, the log and frame houses have 
a substantial air, there are many gardens growing potatoes and other truck, pigs and 
poultry seem to thrive, and several families have one or two cows. The children 
seen in the village appeared bright, clean, strong, and always well clad. 
One of the principal half-breeds said that while there was no large amount of 
money in circulation and few were prosperous, still none were destitute nor in danger 
of becoming so. It may be remarked here that many of the natives in this district, 
and to the westward, died during the past winter with a disease believed by some to 
be grip. It is said that at Little Afognak nearly all succumbed. 
The half-breeds and natives of Afognak, according to their own custom, have 
three recognized districts for hunting and fishing. The half-breeds of the village fish 
and hunt the northwestern section of the island, drained by the streams named Malinof 
and Paramanof; the natives of the village have the southern end of the island, which 
includes the reservation stream and extends to the western shore of Little Afognak 
Bay; the inhabitants of the latter place claim the island to the eastward of their settle- 
ment, and Marmot Island. These districts are again subdivided among the. different 
families for hunting purposes, while the streams are open to all belonging to the dis- 
trict. These limits are accepted by all the inhabitants, and the intrusion of any 
alien is considered an abuse of their customs. It is natural, therefore, that they 
resent the fishing- of the Afognak streams by the canneries, nor can they understand 
how these streams, which belong to them by tribal rights, can be closed by the Gov- 
ernment. The situation here is the same as it is in southeastern Alaska — the native 
sees the value of the fish to the eannervman, and he wants the streams, not for his 
own use entirely, but to sell the fish to the canneries. In other words, be wants to 
own the streams and bar out the canneries, which is clearly untenable. To the 
appeal of the natives has been added that of the white men of the district. 
The village of Afognak contains a number of whites, nearly all Scandinavians, 
married to half-breeds or natives or living with them, nearly all working in canneries 
