34o 
ambition, especialty in post-European times after the abolition of 
slavery, because it provided a means whereby men of low standing, 
through industry and foresight, couhl win their way to the highest 
positions. In spite of all its abuses its ])rohiVjition by the government 
probably contributed not a little to that decline in the morale of 
the west coast tribes which, even more than the ravages of European 
diseases, is gradually bringing about their extinction. 
We have no reliable estimate of the Kwakiutl population during 
the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In 1924 it was slightly 
under 2,000. Considering the number of villages and even districts 
now deserted, and the general decline of the Indians all along the 
coast, we shall not be far wrong in estimating the population in 1750 
at from 5,000 to 6,000.^ 
Interior of a Nootka liouse. (Reproducvfl from "Cook's Third Voyage,” London, 17S5, 
ria/e J,2J 
NOOTKA 
The Nootka,- who inhabited the coast of Vancouver island from 
cape Cook to port San Juan, had the distinction of being the only 
whale hunters in British Columbia.'^ Like the Haida, whom they 
resembled in their partial dependence on sea mammals, they were 
1 Mooney estimatc.s 7,200 in IIjc year 1780. Mooney, J. : Op. cit., p. 28, 
2 The meaning of the name is unknown. 
3 Two or three Irihe.s in the .state of Was)nngt(Mi, inehuling n Viraneli of the Nootka tlie Makah, 
also hunted whales. 
86059-23 i 
