1883- Letter from Indian Agent of Antigonish District
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1883- Letter from Indian Agent of Antigonish DistrictIn collections
Metadata (MODS) |
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| Titles | 1883- Letter from Indian Agent of Antigonish District: |
| Name | William Chisholm (Indian Agent) |
| Name | |
| Type of Resource | text |
| Genre | Letter |
| URL | https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/first-nations/indian-affairs-annual-reports/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber= |
| Abstract | Letter from Indian Agent of Antigonish mentioned that a delegation from Pictou Landing attended the funeral and subsequent celebrations for the deceased Chief Christopher Prosper. Letter highlights the "honor and respect which the Micmac accords to his chief." |
| Form | text |
| Note | POMQUET CHAPEL, ANTIGONISH Co. N.S., 25th September 1883. The Right Honorable The Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have little to add by way of supplement to the tabular statement which I have the honor to transmit to you. Time which brings with it so many signs of material progress among their white brethren, works but little change in the habits of the Micmac Indian. In almost every respect those of to-day, show the same natural proclivities and predilections as their fathers did. The same love for roving about in bands from place to place, the same aversion to a settled life and the cultivation of the soil, which characterized the Indians of former days, still continues in a greater or less degree to actuate their descendants. The woods and rivers now no longer afford them the game and fish from which formerly they derived their principal means of subsistence. They have, on this account, become more dependent upon the whites, and have their business so continuously with them that they gradually and imperceptibly are induced to adopt at least some of their habits, not so much indeed from choice or inclination as from the force of circumstances. They have, indeed, a few houses among them, and, as can be seen by the tabular statement, they clear yearly small patches of woodland and increase their cultivated land by one or two acres. They plant in the same spot each succeeding year till it -runs out and can no longer yield. The idea of a rotation of crops has not found its way into their system of farming. They occupy their houses only during a few months of the year; they for the most part prefer the smoky wigwam and bed of spruce boughs to the comforts and refinements, so prized by their white brethren. Christopher Prosper who had been chief of the Indians of this district for more than twelve years, died last June after a long illness. He died of consumption, a disease which, more than any other, is fatal to the Indians of these places, and which they themselves say was hardly known to their grandfathers. When it became known that Chief Prosper's end was near, deputations were sent to the neighbouring chiefs of Cape Breton and Pictou; these came to Afton, the late chief's residence, with a large retinue of captains and other dignitaries, where they stayed for several weeks, till after the demise and funeral of the late chief. The beat house of the village was set apart, for their use and they were treated in a becoming princely manner during their stay by voluntary contributions from the richest among the late chief's subjects. It is only on an occasion of this kind that one can observe the honor and respect which the Micmac accords to his chief. On the 26th July, the national festival of the tribe, the Indians of the district, assembled at the Chapel Reserve, formally elected as their new chief Peter Ben, a young man, supposed to be possessed of more than ordinary administrative abilities, and who is nearly related to the late Chief Prosper. I have now only to say that while I am not able to report any substantial improvement in the material condition of our Indians here it is a matter of congratulation to be in a position to affirm that in regard to morality they at least show no change for the worse. It would be hard to find any where a people among whom the precepts of nature and religion are more faithfully observed. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Wm. CHISHOLM, Indian Agent. |
| Note | Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December, 1883 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1884), 40-41. |
| Subject Topic | Relations-- |
| Subject Topic | Travel-- |
| Subject Topic | Alliances-- |
| Subject Topic | Kinship |