Alaska -- Antiquities; Eskimos; Eskimos -- Anthropometry; Indians of North America -- Alaska; Indians of North America -- Yukon
Indians relatively civilized, more than expected, and most speak
tolerable English. Have flags, guns, sleep in some cases on iron beds
and under mosquito netting, smoke cigarettes and cigars; and even play
fiddles. Of course some have also learned the white man's cupidity and
vices.
This day I met with something unexpected, due to perversity of
mix-breed nature. Seeing so many Indians present, and after a good
reception by them the evening preceding, I thought of utilizing the
occasion for taking some measurements. I therefore mentioned the thing
to some of the head men shortly after my arrival and receiving what
seemed assent, went to-day to Tanana to get my instruments. On coming
back and finding a few of the old men, who were quite friendly, I
invited them into the "kashim" (community house) and began to question
them on old sites, etc., when in came, probably somewhat under the
influence of liquor, a mix-breed to whom I had been introduced the
night before and who at that time acted quite civilly, but now coming
forward began rather loudly and offensively to question about what I
wanted here and about authority, giving me to understand at last quite
plainly that he wanted to "be paid" if I was to take any measurements.
He claimed to be one of the "chiefs," and I would not be allowed to
do anything without his help. His harangue quite disturbed the other
Indians, who evidently were both ashamed and afraid of the fellow. And
as I would not be coerced into employing and paying him, and there
being no one, as I learned, of supreme authority, the "chief" of these
Indians being little more than a figurehead, it was decided to give up
the attempt at measurements. The rest of the visit was therefore given
to further observations and to the witnessing of the potlatch. Chief
Joseph (pl. 14), nominally the head of these Yukon Indians, expressed
his sorrow and tried to make amends by offering himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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