THE ALKATCHO CARRIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 353

TRADE

Though not as well organized, or conducted on a scale com-
parable with that of the tribes on the Coast, trade was of signal
importance in Carrier economy as a means of acquiring a surplus
for potlatching, and in earlier days as a means of survival. In
this earlier period, probably prior to the development of the
potlatch system at Alkatcho, caribou-hides, nettles, fur pelts, and
baskets were traded at Bella Coola for dried salmon. Trade ex-
panded with the coming of Whites to the Coast, and soon fur
pelts were exchanged for firearms, tobacco, tea, manufactured
clothing, utensils, dentalia, foodstuffs, etc. Many of the Alkatcho
Carrier became active traders, trading ability practically becom-
ing a prerequisite for social distinction. One of the most il-
lustrious of the nobles remembered by contemporaries was Inka-
kuti; who died over forty years ago.

Men still living say:

Only Inkakuti traded. He was a smart man. He traded all the time.
That’s why he was a big meotzh [chief]. Other fellows are too lazy. ‘They
don’t want to go to far places. Inkakuti even went to Fort Fraser, be-

fore the Hudson’s Bay store was opened there, to trade skins. He even
went to the ‘I’saten. He hired two or three men to pack for him.

When horses were first introduced, about 1870, they were im-
mediately taken up as a trade commodity, and traded as far
north as Hazelton.

WARFARE

Wars were reputedly waged against the Kitlope and Kitimat,
Kwakiutl-speaking peoples, north of the Bella Coola, for plun-
der and slaves. There are no traditions of wars with the Bella
Coola, though the Chilcotins had many bloody engagements with
them. Wars, however, were extremely infrequent, and of little
significance in Alkatcho social life.

GAMBLING >

From the Carrier point of view, gambling was distinctly an
economic mechanism. Individuals with the proper supernatural