THE ALKATCHO CARRIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 371

dogs, no longer able to hunt effectively, were driven out of the
house.

INFLUENCES FROM OTHER ABORIGINAL GROUPS

The consequences of culture contact with other aboriginal
groups have already been discussed. At present the Chilcotins
appear to be usurping the position of the Bella Coola with re-
spect to Carrier inter-tribal relations. Although considerable in-
termarriage between the two Athabascan groups has taken place,
present-day Carrier have no little scorn for their southern neigh-
bors. The Chilcotins are regarded as ‘“‘wild’”’ and uncouth in their
manners, and not as respectable. In relation to the Chilcotins,
the Carrier form a sort of bourgeoisie. The former seem to have
much less interest in accumulating wealth. They are reckless
gamblers, drinkers, spend-thrifts, are quick tempered, and war-
like in Carrier eyes. Chilcotin women, though taken often as
wives, are not as dependable as Carrier women. My principal
informant claimed that his Chilcotin wife was more or less ex-
ceptional, but all other Chilcotin women were “crazy.’”” When a
Chilcotin son-in-law proves to be lazy, it is because he is a Chil-
cotin. The Chilcotins are respected for one trait—they ride like
demons and win prizes in the rodeos. It is perhaps significant to
note that the Carrier young men are very fond of the Chilcotins
and their “wild ways.”

Some contact is still maintained with the Upper Carrier. When
a potlatch is given at Alkatcho it is invariably compared with
potlatches at Hazelton or Fraser Lake to the detriment of the
Alkatcho.

THE CONTACT CONTINUUM—NATURE OF INITIAL CONTACT

‘The lack of recorded accounts permits of only the sketchiest
description of the initial culture contact with the Whites. The
Carrier claim to have seen their first White man at Bella Coola,
at the time that the potlatch system was still going strong. From
time to time, after White fur-traders had come into the country
in the early nineteenth century, there were occasional contacts.
But the Carrier met with the traders more or less on equal terms