The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-01-25

~ the Tlingit were found in pos
session OF southeastern Alas
ka, with the exception possibly OF the
sOuthernmost portion OF Prince OF
Wales island, which had been wrested
from them by invading Haids from
Masset on the Queen Charlotte islands
during the latter half Of the eighteenth
century. From the testimony Of the
early explorers, this occupation seems
to have been Of sufficient age TO have
developed a racial type, speaking the
same tongue, acknowledging estab-
lished laws, and bound by like con-
ventions, says an article by George I.
Emmons IN the American Museum
Journal.
What knowledge we can gather of
their origin and early life from their
family traditions, songs and geo
graphical names, although fragmen-
tary and vague, tells consistently Of
uniform northward migration by wa
ter. along the coast and through the in
land channels from the Tsimshian pc
ninsula and Prince of Wales island.
which was constantly augmented by
parties OF interior people descending
the greater rivers 10 the sea
The social organization Of the Tin
git is founded on matriarchy. or de-
scent through the mother, and is de-
pendent upon two parties, the men,
bers OF each of which may not marry
| among themselves. but the two parties
intermarry and supplement each 9TH
er upon the many ceremonial occasions
that mark their intercourse.
The two parties are subdivided into
/ ffty-six existing families or clans,
/ founded on blood relationship and alb
solutely independent in government,
succession. inheritance and territory.
/ Within the family there is a well-de-
fined aristOcrscy. wholly dependent
\ upon birth, from which the chiefs are
chosen; an intermediate class consist
/ ing Of those who have forced them
| selves TO the front, through wealth,
] character or artistic ability; and the
/ poorer people. In earlier days there
were many slaves who had no recog-
nlzed rights.
Chilkat the Leading Tribe.
Geographically considered, there are
10 tribal divisions known as "kwans, {"
contraction OF 'ka" (man) and "an'
! OGnd lived on or claimei). OF these
several tribes the Chilkat-kwan has
been the most prominent since our ac-
Quaintance with Alaska. The relative
importance Of a primitive people is
measured by conditions Of food supply
and other natural resources. The COM
manding position OF the Chilkat. at the
head Of the inland channels controll-
ing the mountain passes 10 the interi-
or, gave them the monopoly CT the fur
trade Of the upper Yukon valley. and
the placer copper fields OF the White
river region. These products. unknown
to the coastal area, were economically
Important in primitive days, and after
the advent of Europeans the increased
demand for furs, and their greater
value, made this trade even more lu-
cratiye. The Tlingit were a canoe
people and might be termed serni-nO-
madic, as they were on their hunting
grounds in the early spring and late
fall, while the summer season was
spent In the fishing camps by the sal
mon streams: but notwithstanding
these long absences. they built sub
stantial villages, where, except for so
clal activities, they spent the winter in
comparative idleness.
AS they looked TO the sea for their
principal food supply. their villages
were directly on the shore just above
the high water-mark. In sheltered
coyes, where they could launch their
canoes and land In any weather and
at any stage Of the tide. But the Chill.
kat, differing from all the other Ting.
il. lived jsst beyond the open water
in rather restricted territory On riv.
ers that were veritable storehouses OF
food. Bringing an abundance OF fish life
to their very doors and so permitting
them TO remain at home throughout
the year. except when on their trading
trips TO the interior. which gave their
habitations a more permanent eharac
ter. and contributed to the unity OF
communal life.
At the Mother Town.
OF the four prlneipal old villages. a.
OF which have survived the ravage'
uf constant strife and the still more
deadly by-products Of civilization
liquor and dlssase-Kiukwan (mothel
town) has always held the FIRST place
In size, wealth and the character OF
its people II retained its supremacy
lGSg after TIE more southern coast vii
lages had gore 10 decay, as its mOr'
interior and Isolated position and tn
Independent and aggressive reputation
OF Its population kept white traders
Al q distance. KIukwan lies at tbs