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PREFACE
Hidden in the memories
of the Red Men of Canada, there lie weird legends and strange stories of
bygone years. Pictures and poems wrought by the fancy of the native
historians and medicine men, bring home to us the primitive civilization
which still lingers at our doors. The customs of our savage folk and the
wealth of their languages and literature are interesting to us, as
belonging to a people who were the pioneers of our land, and they open
up a new world of myth, religion and native culture. Close contact with
our native tribes shows us the mistake we have been making in deciding
that ignorance, superstition and cruelty belong to these people, and
that there is no wisdom, truth or beauty in their belief and manner of
life. A faithful study of the languages and customs compels us to
acknowledge that there are deeper truths than facts, and under the
blanket and coat of skin there beats a human heart, as there is beauty,
sweetness and wisdom in their traditions and courage, liberty and
devotion in their lives. We have been looking at the red men from our
own point of view, and the Canadian Indian judges the white man and his
customs from the standpoint of life and training in the camp. Put
yourself in his place and the verdict will be different. This work is an
attempt to reach the meaning of the life of our savage folk. It was not
possible to bring within the compass of a single volume all the native
tribes-of Canada, or to review all the languages or customs, which would
take a series of volumes, and a selection had therefore to be made. Even
the treatment of the subject is not exhaustive, as I have not written
for the specialist, but for the general public, still, I hope that each
will find a suitable portion worthy of study.
John Maclean.
February, 1896.
CONTENTS
Chapter I. Some Queer Folk
The Sarcees—Stoneys—Mound-Builders—Nez Perces — Blackfeet Crees — Eskimo
— Sioux — Micmacs — Kootenays — Iroquois Ojibvvays.
Chapter II. In the Lodges
Motherhood in the West—Head-Gear—Amulets—Dreams—Bacchus in Camp—Old
Times in the North-West—Thoughts of Other Days—Indian Pipes.
Chapter III. Church and Camp
The Bible in the Lodges—The Doomed Race—Whiteskins and Red-skins—The Red
Pioneers—The Symbol of the Cross—Indian Hymns—Ladies in the
Lodges—Indian Names.
Chapter IV. Native Heroes
Crowfoot—Poundmaker—Hiawatha—Shawundais—Mikasto.
Chapter V. Native Religions
Sacred Numbers—Indian Names of God—Canadian Indian Theology—The Indian
Messiah.
Chapter VI. Races and Languages
The Literature of Eastern and Central Canada— The Sign Language—
Languages and Literature of Western Canada—The Conflict of Races.
Chapter VII. On the Trail
On the War Path—Running the Gauntlet—Indian Cairns—The Mounted Police
Totems— Hunting the Moose. |
