Daily camera., 1897-07-31
CONTENTED INDIANS.
FACTS Alb ut tho latheads of
British Columbia.
They Are Independent and Industri-
Gus and Maintain Themselves
by Hard Work and
FruGality.

The Flathead Indians of British Co
umbia afford Al extensive field for
character study and the writer, having
y lived among them number of years,
Z bas had unlimited opportunity for not
ling their peculiaritiea. Friendly con
tact with this people shows them to be
of an entirely different disposition from
their northwester.l brothers and dis
tinct as a tribe. Thcy receive no help
1 from the rorcrHment, for the reason
J that the a~e well able to sustain them
!. selves by securing employment at
Eumerous occupations open to them.
independence is stamped upon their
eountenances and their talent consists
lin carving, canoe building and kindred
Eemployments. Fishing and hop-pick-
ing are the principal industries in
(which they are employed during the
ksummer, while in winter telling timber
bnd hunting give ample compensation
FOR a comfortable living. Canoes are
heir means of transportation, and
heir skill in manipulating the paddle
s often made manifest during town eX-
hibitions, in which this sport is prom
kinent feature. Great numbers of these
Ingenious Indians live along the trend
bf the Frazier river, which winds it's
WAY through dark canyons, amid tow
4 ering mountains, where in proximity
ktto the waters turbulently falling over
Hthe rocks they live in a state OF felicity,
fishing and hunting.
The ritual of the Roman Catholic
! church attracts many of them and
fchools of this denomination are scat
cred about the province. Industrial
khools also are opened for their spe-
al benefit and many of the youthful
indians avail themselves of this valu-
able instruction.
Fe Indian brass bands have been or
gaI1zed at different stations, and it is
amazing to note their rapid acquisition
of Skill in the management of the diff
ferent musical instruments, consider
ing they were comparatively strangers
tosanything in this line such a short
4 time ago, and now it is quite a common
sight to observe these bands playing on
occasion of festivities in the cities.
: Mhey are great fish eaters and their
Z rad temperament is attributed to the
e}sect of this diet, which is the chief food
devery meal, and cooked by means of
smoking, which gives it an appearance
that detracts much from its delicious
taste. AT the end of the fishing season
8those who receive their entire summers
earnings in bulk leave at once for the
7 city, there to transform the money into
:. merchandise, for they are far from be-
sipg money accumulators and have
decided liking for receiving it's worth
Mn actual goods.
IA The clothes the Flathead Indian
swears are of his own selection, for the
Beople initiate the whites in regard to
dress, in so far that some wear derby
hats, causing an amusing spectacle to
the visiting stranger, for the reason
that their peculiar, fiat-shaped heads
compel them to wear these hats with
the peaks overlapping the ears.
The women are hard workers and are
frequently seen walking through the
cities burdened with a pack" suffi-
GENTLY heavy for strong man to carry,
but, fastened as it is to their backs. they
evince no sign of weariness; while in
the winter they are seen walking along
with characteristic gait in their bare
feet, over ice and snow, showing no
esnpparent discomfort for the exposure.
IxIhe older women. like the male charac-
4ers previously described, are not re-
Z Sa1parknble for their beauty, but sick
mess is infrequent among themm.-De-
Il ss4roit Free Press.