IN the northern part of Saskatchewan, where there is so much water. the Indians travel chiefly by birch canoe and live very much on fish which are most abundant in the large lakes and rivers. But on the prairie, in the southern part of the Territories, they know very little about boating and use horse’s almost entirely in travelling about from one place to another, both in summer and in winter, whereas the Indians westward use dogs and sleighs, or rather, “flat sleds,” in winter and are unaccustomed to horses. They are also great travelers on foot; a good runner, going ahead of a train of dogs on a good road, will cover fifty and sixty miles in a long day, starting very early in the morning.
In the fall, before the lakes freeze up, some of the Indians go away for a week or more to make a fall fishing. During the sporting season, quantities of fish can be caught very near the shore in some of the large lakes. One family will sometimes put up a thousand, or even two thousand white fish for winter use, besides a considerable quantity of jack fish, or pike, mullets and trout, while others will catch a much less quantity. These fish are stored in a strong little place made of logs, which should be wolf-proof. A hole is pierced through the tail of each fish and they are strung on to sticks, ten or twelve on a stick, these sticks are then hung horizontally in the cache, as the little log building is called. If the cold weather sets in quickly so that the fish freeze solid and keep frozen there is no danger of their spoiling. During the winter, the Indians haul these fish with their dogs and sleds, as they require them. They use birch canoe for setting and overhauling the nets. It is amusing to see them on their way out, carrying these canoes on their shoulders from one lake to another, sometimes for three and four miles. The canoe is turned over and the man places it over his head and it rests on his shoulders. He generally goes at a trot. A large canoe is carried by two men one at each end.
There are many who do not take the trouble to make a fall fishing, and they often fare badly during the winter months. After the fishing, the more energetic ones among them go away to hunt musk rats and other more valuable fur-bearing animals. Some leave their families on the Reserve; others take them with them and stay all winter in roughly put together huts, which last for two or three seasons. There is often much sickness among them while living in those small and dirty places. There is plenty of timber at their disposal, and they could easily make more comfortable houses for the winter, but energy is sadly lacking in their character, though there are exceptions. They are good workers when employed, far better than those who, as already mentioned, live in the southern part of the provinces, but are poor hands generally at improving their own places. It is wonderful too how many will crowd into, one of these winter huts. Consequently, if any fall sick, they have a very trying time. That a well conducted little hospital in each district would be a great blessing to their ill-cared-for sick is often manifest, for they have very little idea how to make a patient comfortable.
When the warm spring weather sets in, as one can well imagine, the Indians are glad to get back to the Reserve, or to move to some fresh part and tent out.
The great event of the summer is the Annuity Payment when they all receive (excepting those who have left the treaty and live off the Reserve) five dollars apiece, from the oldest to the youngest.
The baptized Indians are remarkably religious, but it is sadly superficial, and sin is very lightly treated. Still, there are some sincere Christians among them. The seriously inclined Indian has a great idea of doing good to his fellow man and so to merit salvation. They are a very hospitable people and show pleasure in giving their very best to a white guest.
They have very little idea of what sin is in the sight of God, and that nothing but the blood of Christ can atone for sin. “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).
“I cannot work my soul to save,
For that my Lord has done;
But I would work like any slave
For love of God’s dear Son.”
ML 06/10/1906