Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-04-02
rHH HUDSON sAv COMPANY.
r"'sr..,las Information About . Com.


Tnteresttna Information About = Com.
pnrativeiy Unknown Land.
Those who have never seen life as Il ex.
lists among the inhabitants Of the Hudson
Bay country would be astonished at the
extent OF civilization among class Of pco.
pie generally supposed to be savages, as
well US at the awful grandeur Of the seen.
cry and forbidding aspect Of the graveyard
coasts along the shores Of that northern
sea. In all the uninhnbitable re- zion of
North America there Is nowhere to be
found a more bleak and desolate, or dreary
waste than that between Ungava Bay, ON
the coast of Labrador on the east, and Fort
Churchill, on the Yves; and southern part
OF Hudson Bay proper. Although little is
known yet regarding this weird aud frozen
region, Il bas had growth within the last
half century which has been something
phenomenal, and having been measured
according to its needs by the God of Ma.
tune has gone ON advancing from age to
ayc, until at the present time, not aione the
Ire fertile islands. but the extent Of land
back from the coast on either side, Ia
mickly populated by people who hunt
and fish and Ire d and talk and chatter
even among the misery and dostimtion
NhiNn NV III ANkAUn VI IfIUtlNNl lInNl
and snow must bring. Hudson Bay itself
is really an inland sea, extending between
latitude 81 degrees and Ga degrees NORTH.
and Longitude a. degrees and 05 degrees
west. and while about 900 miles long at
its greatest distance, is only about 600 miles
in breadth, covering an area of over 500.
900 square miles. II is naviyable only for
about three months the year
from the middle o June to the
middle Of Scptc er nd for the
remainder OF the ear Is filed
with drift ice. which renders navigation.
even for a short distance, an absolute i'm
possibility. Tile eastern coasts Of the bav
are sights TO be admired, cliffs rising In
many cases 10 a height OF from 200 to 400
feet abruptly from the waters edge, and.
being composed of glacier. like substance
which. beng ever coated with ice and
frozen snow, shine In the sunlight until il
is almost impossible TO look at them for
any length Of time. The residents of this
section are not properly Esquimaux, but
cross between this race and the French
aud Indians, who have come in for the
purpose Of hunting and fishing. and finally
settled down among the natives to live as
they do aud share with them in the priva.
tions which no other life affords. On an
average. in the summer months. the thcr-
mome!er stands at about ~ degrees above,
while the temperature in the winter runs
rs low as 90 degrees below zero and will
average about IS degrees below. Fish are
scarce and can be caught only IN the riv-
ers. Of which on the east there is only the
Great Whale, while on the west there are
the Hayes, Nelson. Churchill. Moore,
Albany, Weeknisk. Main. and Abbtibbe.
Seal abound in plenty, but are extremely
shy and hard for the natives TO get at.
while porpolse and walrus are equally
difficult to get hold Of. Were II not for
The small fur bearing animals which are
aUout the shores the poor half breeds
would stand a very good chance Of perish
ing by hunger. rs they can expect nothing
in the way Of favors from the Hudson Bay
stores, "A few of which are along
tile coast The natives live In little vii.
lagos composed Of from fifty to 100
rude huts. Each community has its
place Of worship and its church burial
ground. which Is consecrated by the Mora.
yiHn missionaries. few OF whom are to
b. found wandering about from village TO
village. from the eastern extent OF the set
Elements down as far as Fort Churchill on
the west These faithful. beloved men
expect no recompensa for their services.
and II they did they wouldn't get IL, for
there is not in all the country such thing
as money. the only exchange being In fish.
oil. OF iurs Whenever one of tribe dies
lie rest OF his fanily-meaning bT that
The entire settlement-stop work for the
day snd prepare to bury him. II the set.
iiemcni possesses such a thing as n dinner.
bell. and most Of them do. the oldest man
IN ile village goes about from hut 70 hut
ind rings the bell in front of each until
lIe occupants come out, both big and liz.
le. and, falling into line, march after
him When the circuit has been made.
md big and little are all collected, a march !
5 made for the kiroie. as 1t Is called. the
village church, which consists Of about an
icie Of ground simply enclosed by a wall
If stones near the middle of the commun.
iy. Into this little field 90 the entire pop
llace, and after chanting the virtues ofthe !
lead for some hours. the corpse Is taken
iway on a skin rack and covered with ice
md snow in the common burial plot The
est Of the day Is spent in rejoicing. and
he next say. II the deceased was married.
Iis letter balf makes another choice. LrI
Il the end Of week. il an agreement be
,ome TO. the dead = forgotten and the
70 longer sorE0Wing ones begin lie over
gain.