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Chief Skidegate
Was found, with about twenty of his people, catching
and drying salmon at the mouth of a small stream flowing into Copper
Bay, fifteen miles south of the village. He is a cousin of
Nin-Ging-Wash, younger in appearance, though nearly as old. They
quarreled bitterly over their rank for a long time, Nin-Ging-Wash,
by means of his more liberal potlatches finally prevailing, but not
until two of their adherents had been killed. Skidegate handed me a
package of papers, chiefly letters of recommendation from ship
masters, missionaries and others. It was evident that he was
ignorant of their contents. One said the chief had been "bumming"
around their vessel for some time demanding $100 for alleged claims
upon certain coal lands, which the captain thought had better be
allowed, as he was a powerful chieftain. Another was a fatherly
letter from missionary Duncan. Skidegate it seemed, had attempted to
shoot a young Indian for some personal offence who fled to Duncan
for protection. The letter warned the chief never to be guilty of
such an act again, assuring him that if the Indian had injured him,
he should be proceeded against according to law. But Skidegate has
now kept out of difficulty for several years, and like a good many
white people, who sin as long as they are able to, before they
reform, he has joined the church, and is trying to be a good Indian
before he dies.
Doctor Modeets
My visit to the chief medicine man south of Massett
was accidental. While making a trip of several days alone with my
canoe, I sought shelter from a severe storm on a little islet in
Skidegate Inlet, where I passed a sleepless night in the rain and
wind. It was only a short distance to the Indian village of Gold
Harbor, where, the following day, I landed and spread out my
blankets to dry on the beach. Among the Indians squatting in front
of their houses, I noticed one whose hair was tied up in a knot on
the back of his head, the size of a large hornets' nest, of which it
reminded me. Approaching nearer, his face was seen to be marked with
small pox, a piece was missing from his nose, and altogether he
presented a more remarkable than attractive appearance. I found him,
however, quite talkative, and soon engaged him in conversation to
the extent which my limited knowledge of the Chinook would permit.
He told me that he was a medicine Tyhee, and inviting me into his
house, showed me the curious medicine dance, dresses, wands,
rattles, charms etc., worn and used by him when practicing the
healing heart. The charms were carved out of bone, and represented
whales, bears, ravens, land otters, eagles, thunderbirds, etc., and
various other animals and fish, each accredited with special virtues
for the cure of certain diseases. Selecting several which I desired
to purchase, I placed in his hand the pieces of silver I was willing
to pay for them. He counted the money, and then the charms over and
over again, dwelling at length upon the wonderful curative powers of
the latter, but finally accepting my offer with the addition of a
small potlatch. The occupation of the medicine man is now nearly
gone, only a few old people having any faith in their practice.
Modeets is the only doctor I have seen on the island who has kept
the vow taken when entering upon the profession never to cut or comb
his hair. His wife observing that it was an object of interest to
me, unloosened the great bang, when the thick tangled ringlets
spread over the old man's shoulders and reached down below his
waist. To further gratify my curiosity, the chief put on a portion
of his fantastic regalia, and executed a medicine dance. The doctor
then dressed me in his wildest and most barbaric costume, when "by
special request" I imitated his performance, in a manner which
"brought down the house."
Official Report of the Exploration of the Queen
Charlotte Islands for the Government Of British Columbia, 1884
Indians of Canada |
