Of the other three British Columbia stocks not dealt with in this sketch, though I have discovered sufficient Asian elements in their languages to put for myself their Asian affinities and origin beyond doubt, I have not yet determined these affinities nor formulated my evidence; but if no other evidence were offered of the Asian affinities and origin of our native tribes than that of the Déné alone, the traits they have in common with the other stocks and the underlying ethnic unity of all the Coast tribes would of itself establish this fact; and if the ethnic unity of the whole American race be, as Dr. Brinton claims, a veritable fact, then would it not only establish the Asian affinities and origin of the British Columbia stocks, but of the whole race. For if one of its integral members be Asian then, if this claim of ethnic unity means anything, all are Asian. But with this logical conclusion I leave Dr. Brinton to deal--I am not concerned to establish this view myself.’
THE Dénés, or Tinnehs, are very widely distributed. Rev. Father Morice, in his 'Notes on the Western Dénés,' says: 'No other aboriginal stock in North America, perhaps not even excepting the Algonquian, covers so great an extent of territory as the Déné. The British Isles, France and Spain, Italy and any two or three of the minor European Commonwealths taken together would hardly represent the area of the region occupied by that large family. They are divided into two important branches, the Northern and Southern Dénés.' Regarding the former the writer just quoted says: 'West of the Rocky Mountains they are to be found from 51 deg. 30 min. of latitude to the borders of the Eskimo tribes, while on the east side of the same range they people the immense plains and forests which extend from the Northern Saskatchewan down almost to the delta of the Mackenzie River * * * the almost entire breadth of the American Continent.' The Southern Dénés, which include the Navajos and Apaches, extend through Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, California and New Mexico. In round figures the northern tribes number 16,000 and the southern 23,000. The Déné stock is also designated 'Athapaskan,' but, as Rev. Father Morice points out, very inappropriately. The habitat of the northern half has already been indicated, practically covering what is the unorganized district of the North-West Territory of Canada, and including the Loucheux, the Hares, Bad People, Slaves, Dog-Ribs, Yellow-Knives, Caribou-Eaters, Chippewayans, the Beavers and Sarcees. Those on the west side of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia are a few Beavers, the Nah’ane (Stickeen River and east), the Carriers (Stuart’s Lake north and south), Tsilkohtin (Chilcotin). Their numbers are: Beavers, probably 200 in British Columbia; Nah’ane, 700; Carriers,. 1,600; Chilcotins, 460. To these tribes Rev. Father Morice has given the name Western Dénés. It is not practicable to give the exact spelling of the author from whom we quote, owing to typographical limitations, but as nearly as possible the tribal sub-divisions and their localities are as follows:
CARRIER TRIBE
BABINE SUB-TRIBE
It will be observed that Rev. Father Morice does not include among the Dénés either the Tsimpsheans or the Kootenais, and generally it may be remarked that the classification of nations, or peoples, given by Mr. Hill-Tout as belonging to British Columbia is the accepted one.
On this point Niblack, in his 'Indians of the North-West Coast,' says: A provisional classification of the Indians of the North-West Coast, from Puget Sound to Cape St. Elias, based on philological considerations, would, according to Dr. Franz Boaz, divide them into three groups, as follows: 1. Salish, Kwakiutl and Wakashan (Nutkan); 2. Tsimshian; 3. Tlingit and Haida.'
THE Haida nation or people are perhaps the most notable of all on the Coast. They are quite distinct in their language, traditions, and physical and psychical traits. The Rev. Mr. Harrison, of Massett, for many years a missionary there, and thoroughly familiar with them, says:--
'The Haidas do not in any way resemble the red Indian met with in other parts of British Columbia. The face is broad, and cheek bones protrude, their eye-brows have a Mongolian slant, they are powerfully built, but are not without grace in their manner and walk. They may be said to be of the square, wooden type, with brown skins and black hair, but ruddy cheeks, and brown and red hair are not uncommon. All the Haidas from the lowest to the highest are related in rank to the head Chief of the nation. The slaves, however, do not rank at all, but were formerly bought and sold like dogs. * * * The Haidas are industrious; men, women and children all find something to do at all seasons of the year. * * * The intellectual powers and processes of the Haidas excel the ordinary class of Indians on the North Pacific Coast. Their language contains more words, and is most difficult to master. Compared with other Indians in British Columbia and Alaska they would be placed at the head in rank of physique and activity. The young people are eager to be taught and also evince a determination to master their books. Some of the men are six feet two inches tall and their bodies are developed in perfect proportion. They are expert seamen and can sail their buoyant cedar canoes in a storm that would be dangerous to ships. The women share the good qualities of the men. They are exceedingly strong and work equally as hard as the men. Comparitively speaking they have handsome and agreeable features.’
Rev. Father Morice, who is probably the best living authority on the Dénés, which numerically is the largest and most widely distributed Indian race in Western America, in his 'Notes on the Western Dénés,' describes the three principal tribes on the Western Slopes of the Rocky Mountains as follows: 'The Tsé Kéhnes are slender and bony of stature, rather below the average, with a narrow forehead, hollow cheeks, prominent cheek bones, small eyes deeply sunken in their orbits, the upper lip very thin and the lower lip somewhat protruding, the chin very small and the nose straight. * * * Out of every ten men, five who have long been fathers will appear to you like mere chi!dren. I have never seen but one fat person among them, and one that was bald. Now the Carriers are tall and stout without as a rule being too corpulent. The forehead is much broader than that of the Tsé Kéhne and less receding than is usual with American aborigines. The face is full, with a nose generally aquiline, and in every case better formed than their heterogeneous neighbours. * * * The Tsil Koh’tin, on the other hand, are short in stature, broad-faced and broad-shouldered, with prominent cheek bones, heavy jaws and with a nose which is not uncommonly thick and flattish. They may be said to have some physical resemblance to the Chinese. * * * The only points in common among the three tribes are the black eyes, the dark, coarse and straight hair, and the small hands and feet."
Father Morice describes the Northern Dénés as generally pusilanimous, timid and cowardly, but a noteworthy quality, especially in such as have remained untouched by modern civilization, is their great honesty. They are generally gentle in disposition, he says, and have usually shown a remarkable receptiveness.