MacDonell, John. Description of Lake Athabasca and the Chipweans, ca. 1805 and Journal of a Voyage from Lachine to Fort River Qu'Appelle, 1793. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0005

their being an original people; however allowing the Cireess, to be descended from them, or t[he]y from the Creees, it does not preclude the possibility of their having been at some time or other the same people, as the former may have been rendered brave by the continual attack they might have suffered from their troublesome Neighbours; while on the other hand should the Chipweans be their descendents, they may have in like manner forget the Art of war, by finding none to oppose or disturb them in this extensive Country. The Chipweans are of a middling stature and rather sliender bodied, but have very expressive countenance and open in appearance; but in their nature are neither so active nor yet are they able to endure so much misery and fatigue as the Europeans[.] The women are generally of a short stout make, particularly downwards from the Breast;– they are much softer and more awkward in their manners than the Females of the Neighbouring nations, who look upon the Chipwean Ladies as greatly inferior to themselves in every respect. The men are possessed of great patience, persevereance, and display a great deal of ingenuity in imitating the mechanical productions of the Europeans; which, frequentl[y] they do with great nicety[.] Their only tools are the axe, the file, and the Crooked knife; with these

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 in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
 in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).

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