The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-02-27
CANADA REFILLS DEPLETED PLAINS WITH HERDS
 OF GRAZING ANIMALS

oTTAWA-As we follow the even tenor of our way amidst comforts made possible by the efforts of pioneers, in less favored, less access sible districts of this continent the work of exploration and develop ment on behalf of future genera tions goes quietly on, utilizing the waste places of the earth and trans forming barren" lands into fit regions for man.
 One of the most practical and picturesque of these movements is nor transpiring in the far north west, between Alaska and the mouth of the Mackenzie River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean.
 Last October there commenced the migration of a great herd of reindeer from Buckland Valley, Alaska, to the vast empty pastures of the Northwest Territories which is destined to bring comfort and contentment to the aboriginies of that land. As you read this, pic ture a strange and peaceful army of diminutiVe cavalry. 5000 strong, bristling with slim, curving horns, struggling slowly across a flat and horizonless white landscape. Bring ing up the rear come 53 low wood en sleds drawn by teams of domes- ticated reindeer. These are driven by short, swarthy men, four Lapps and six Eskimos, muffled in skin garments from head to foot.
 Except for the crunching whisper of hoofs, the chatter of opposing antlers, an occasional gruff shout, the strange procession goes forward, hour after hour, day after day, month after month. Spring will come, and summer, and another winter, and spring again before journeys end, 1500 miles away in the delta of the Mackenzie River. There is no hurry. The army must feed off the land as they go. ar rive fit and sleek, larger in num- Der than when they started.
 The present migration is the re- suit of many years investigation by the Dominion Government of the feasibility of restocking with graz ing animals the depleted plains of the Northwest Territories. Such indigenous game as caribou, wood buffalo," and musk OK, but especial ly the first, seemed the logical choice, until the success of the Unit ed States Government in breeding reindeer in Alaska turned attention to this remarkable little animal.
 Two Danish brothers, A. E. and R. T. Porshild, graduates of Copen- hagen University and brought up at Godhaven, Greenland, joined the Northwest Territories and Yukon branch of the Interior Department and were sent north to solve the problem. After visiting most of the Alaskan herds of reindeer they pro- ceeded by dog-team over the top of Alaska, plotting out the most prac- ticable route across the Yukon to hte delta of the Mackenzie for driv- ing a herd. Two years of arduous eled over 14,000 miles, made a thor ough study of conditions and col lected thousands of botanical speci- mems and photographs for the Ma tional Museum at Ottawa, and they were ready for the drive.
 The effect of the successful plant ing of this foreign animal upon Canadian soil promises to be reyo- lutionary in the lives of the na- tives. Easily domesticated, immune to cold, an excellent pack-animal by summer and sled-drawer by win ter, providing milk and meat, clothes, sleeping bags, tents, blank cts and innumerable articles of leather, the reindeer would seem to be the most useful animal on the earth for sub-arctic inhabitants. No doubt the Eskimos will need to be taught their value and perhaps Canada will adopt the United States practice in Alaska of bringing in Laplanders as teachers. Once the natives come to own their own herds, and this is the Governments intention, much of the hardship and danger will be eliminated from their lives and they will cease their mo- madic roaming and settle in per- rrna r,if Ac fhnir.