nursing care, and hospitalization
Indian Health Services Branch
National Health and Welfare.
The Indian bands enjoy a measure of loc
ment, subject to departmental supervision, through their
chiefs. and councillors, They pass regulations or by-laws
under the Indian Act on such subjects as:-—
(a) care of public health:
(b) construction and maintenance of
toads, bridges, fences, and ditches;

» are administered by the
of the Department of

al self-govern-

Wa tercourses,

(c) prevention of trespass by cattle, and th

© protection
of sheep, horses, and cattle;

(d) removal and punishment of persons tresp

assing upon
the reserve

, or frequenting it for improper purposes;
and their consent is required to expenditure of band capital,

surrender. of reserve lands, and various other
affecting their interests.

The Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands and some
bands in the Skeena District of British Columbia are under
the more advanced elective system for chiefs and councillors
provided by the Indian Act, and in some cases their local
powers correspond somewhat to those of rural] municip
subject to departmental control,

matters

alities,

The Indians in the Coastal region are engaged mostly
in fishing and those in the interior in hunting and trapping
and also fishing in certain areas. In addition to these
main pursuits, the Indians also obtain general employment
where available as wage earners in connection with local
industries and activities. During the years 1942 to
1944 inclusive, when the Alaska Highway, Canol oil
development, and other war projects were under con-
struction, many of the Indians obtained regular employ-
ment at high wages, and enjoyed exceptional prosperity.
Indian fishermen, along with others, of course, benefit in a
large measure by the absence of Japanese competition, but
it should also be remembered that the Indian fishermen have
for many years operated successfully in competition with
those of other races, including Japanese.

The attached statement of “Yearly Incomes” has been
compiled from figures of the known income reported by
the Indian agents. This‘ statement is undoubtedly incom.
plete, the total revenue of the Indians being much greater;
nevertheless it is of interest as indicating the: general
economic trend.

Recent figures show large increases throughout, and in
some cases, they are phenomenal. These increases, of
course, are due to exceptional employment conditions and
must be regarded as temporary. What the eventual
economic and social effect of this peak period of previously
undreamed of affluence upon the Indians will be, it is hard
to say. Much depends upon the degree to which similar
conditions are retained more or less permanently because
of the opening up of the country. While, undoubtedly,
too much sudden wealth has produced extravagance with

[ 140 J

artificial standards of ‘living among these natives to an
extent that is not in their true interest, on the other hand,
it is to be hoped that they will not again revert to the

poverty and privation which was the lot of many of them
in former years.

In the past, the Indians of northwestern British
Columbia demonstrated more ability and originality in
Native arts than any other aboriginal group in Canada.
Latterly, because they have been more interested in other

pursuits, these arts and crafts have declined and are in
danger of being lost.

The following examples might be cited:

1. Near the Skidegate Reserve on Graham Island, there
is a black slate quarry. From this black slate, the
Indians make small totem poles and other ornamental
objects and novelties. In late years, there has been

a marked deterioration in the quality of the Indian
craftsmanship.

2. Haida and Tsimpsian Indians produced attractive
native silverware, comprising bracelets, ornaments,
trinkets, etc. This art also has declined and should
be revived.

3. The Nass and Tlinglit Indians, formerly produced
the Chilcot blankets, made by a special process
from the hair of mountain goat mixed with the inner

bark of the cedar. These are no longer made in
British Columbia.

4. The natives of the northern interior of British
Columbia make birch bark baskets of fine quality,
and also do bead work on moose and deer hide,
covering such articles as moccasins and gauntlets.

They also make Indian drums, which are much in
demand as curios.

There is a great demand in northern British Columbia
for Indian novelties of all kinds, but there is a dearth of
supply. It is suggested that this whole subject be given
careful study with a view to the restoration of Indian arts
and crafts both from the cultural and commercial points of
view. In Alaska, the United States Government operates
craft centres for the sale and distribution of Indian handi-
craft and it is suggested that a similar plan for British
Columbia might be given consideration.

In addition to Indian handicrafts, it might be possible
to establish Indian-owned industries, such as the razor-back
clam industry operated by the Haida band on Queen
Charlotte Islands. This industry was established over
ten years ago on the only razorback clam beach in British
North America. It prospered for some time, but had to
close down when high tariffs shut of its United States
market. Recently it was revived, and cartied on with
success owing to war markets. Now that the war market
has disappeared, unless a sufficient domestic demand can
be developed or the United States market can be reopened,
it is feared that the industry will again fall into decline.