The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-19

is his interesting account of his expert
ences among them. written especially for
this paper:
Alaska is inhabited principally by six
native tribes. such as the Eskimo, with
| In and a little below the Arctic circle the
Tfnneh or Athabaskan, in the Yukon re-
gion; the Aleutian, IN the southwestern,
and the Thlingit. Hydah and Tslmp-
shean, in the southeastern parts. These
speak as many different languages The
first two would be included in the Eski-
mo family, while the rest would come un-
der the term Indians. From tine i'm
+ memorial they have always lived in the
sections / have named, and when and
how they came 10 these sections l cannot
say except from the theories OF our own
historians and scientists.
H. THE native AIaskans especially those
of the southern part, are a hardy, self
reliant. industrious and bold race. They
have great powers of physical eudur-
ance, and delight in athletics and music.
Before this present century, when the
Russians came among them, they were
a very fierce people. and frequently col
lided with the ears soldiers The we'll
organized governments and the systems
of customs and religious beliefs that they
had made 1t difficult for foreigners 10
deal with them. But today things are
different. There are no more well organ
ICED governments among the AIaskans.
What customs and beliefs they have are
relics OF the past. Christianity and civ
niza:ien have exerted a wonderful infiu-
ence upon them They are at present in
transitional period.
The country Of Alaska and the North
western territory of Canada are attract
ing the earnest attention Of the CONNER
ciat word Since the excitement of last
July many thousands of miners and COM
mercia} men have made their way into
that part of the American continent.
Those newcomers are strangers TO the
country and its peoples. They are igno-
rant NJ th@ Inhabitants, and the iHhah-
itaHts OF them. In some cases, because
Of this ignorance MISUNDERSTANDING arise
and they lead 10 trouble and tll-fecling.
What. then, IS the relation between the
Klondike miners and the native Alas
kans?
Alaska IS q part Of the United States
and although tEss is 50. IS gives evidences
Of being a country separate by Itself. The
native peoples there. specially those who
are not Christians. are therefore not very
closely allied with the people Of the
United States. ! mean by this that they
are not very well acquainted with the
inner lifr @"d thought Of the republic.
While they aTe patriotic ana think muC
ar oio Glory and the American people.
Yet Trey ara 10 Soma sense foreigners.
With this understanding we need not
be surprised 70 Ind that "a large part of
the native population is either Indifferent
or alarmed &t 3he invasion az thei-
country by t'5e miners Tine prevalent
idea among thoul Is tlsat the Colds ekers
Will dp thrsu hcen good auG bad good.
because q Inc development u ,he re-
sources Of the country and the many
blessings that civilization gives them;
ard had because II the evil influence
brought IN ny anprincipied men.
The miners are there already an3
thus far there has been no clash Of any
kind between tneF0 and the natives. But
II the excitement holds on ard siiii more
thousands ~ pie come. and K some
OF these newcomers are careless there
must be sozne friction between them and
the NATIVES which wfll result In the APP
PEAL 20 the protection of the law or TO
a breach q the peace.
ITO Asasd any unnecessary trouble and
IN ortier thae The kIon9ike miners should
not collide with tbs native inhabitants
OF Alaska ard ths Northwestern Terrific
~ Of Canada. tlse former should recog-
Dlze ard respect tila rights II she latter
This Is an Cid ard well known p~9nct-
PIE. has how often has x b@en violated
IN new countries wkere the strong have
81 advantage over the wsak7 Suppose