The Dominion of Canada . -tion has spelt the gradual extinction of the aborigine, sothe once wild and splendid Canadian Indian is dyingout. In the outlying districts, where as yet the settle-ments have made little progress, the Indians continue tolive their free life, trapping and hunting, and theirmortality tables, although high, are not excessively even in this comparatively natural state the visit ofthe Indian agent or inspector, paying to each man,woman, and child the annuities granted for the surrenderof their lands, must be an ever-recurring reminder thatthe time is not very far d
The Dominion of Canada . -tion has spelt the gradual extinction of the aborigine, sothe once wild and splendid Canadian Indian is dyingout. In the outlying districts, where as yet the settle-ments have made little progress, the Indians continue tolive their free life, trapping and hunting, and theirmortality tables, although high, are not excessively even in this comparatively natural state the visit ofthe Indian agent or inspector, paying to each man,woman, and child the annuities granted for the surrenderof their lands, must be an ever-recurring reminder thatthe time is not very far distant when they will be driveninto the idleness of a Reserve, which in a few generationsmeans death to the individual and extinction to the tribe. Very few Indians of to-day dress in blanket or deerskinsuch as were worn by their forefathers. Feathers arevery rarely seen, except on show-days or very highstate occasions, and the traveller arriving at some inlandtrading-post is disappointed to find that the Indians are 146. A STONY SQUAW A SYMPATHETIC DEPARTMENT dressed in the comfortable but unpicturesque Europeangarb of to-day. There is in Canada a Department of Indian Affairswhich deals with the Indian question in a manner inwhich common sense and sympathy are happily blendedwith an intimate knowledge of the people under itscharge. An endeavour has been made to advance the Indiansas far as possible in the arts of civilisation. They areencouraged to till the soil or to engage in some otherremunerative occupation to keep them healthy andhappy. In connection with this it is indisputable thatin Ontario many bands which fifty years ago gainedtheir livelihood by hunting and fishing have settled downto till the soil, and now are able to compete quite success-fully with their white neighbours. This is particularlytrue of those bands residing in the middle of Ontario,where there are Indian agricultural societies which holdexhibitions and encourage agriculture. The reportsreceived regar
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherbostonlittlebrowna
