380 
the Cree); that reached to the thighs, and moccasins with 
in-soles of oroundhog or rabbit fur. Women wore a similar costume, 
except that they either lengthened the shirt or added a short apron, 
and their leggings reached only to the knees. A robe, a rounded 
cap, and mittens, provided additional protection in winter. Shirt and 
moccasins were commoidy embroidered with porcupine-quill work. 
Hunters wore necklets of grizzly-bear claws, and both men and women 
had bracelets of horn or bone; but oidy a few natives possessed ear 
pendants of dentalia shells, and none of them wore anklets. Rather 
exceptionally, too, the Sekani seem not to have practised tattooing, 
although they used ])aint freely enough on their persons and 
clotliing. ^ 
6 ! 1675 
A Sekani hut of poles and sprnee bark. (1‘holo hi/ If. Jonir.ss.) 
Tlie political organization and social life were exceedingly 
simple. The tribe was divided into several independent })ands.- each 
under the guidance of a leader who possessed little or no real author- 
ity. Common customs, a common language, and frequent intermar- 
riage gave tlie Idands a feeling of unity, but families of different 
1 Petit nt, wlio is ipioU'd in (Itp Handliook of Anierii'iin Indians, art. Sekani. did not visit tlie 
Sekani, and wrote from hearsay only: liis deseriiition of their aiipearanee, dress, ete., is quite nnrelialik*. 
2 There seem to have iieeii four fairly well-defined l'ana.s at the end of the eii^liteenth eentniA'. 
