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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 No 8 as they cannot be benefitted after their decease, either by their real, or personal property; the first which is only their rights as Chipweans devolves on the community at large; and the last is deposited in the Grave with the deceased so as to be at hand when he may take his flight to the blessed regions. When any one of their nation dies (but particularly if a man) they set up dreadful howlings, and the near relations of the deceased will rend their clothes, and throw away or break their Guns, kettles, and every thing that belongs to them[.] Every one in the Camp, as they have no Villages, will throw some things of less consequence out of respect to the deceased. When a young man has been killed by accident or by premature death, then they make dreadful yells – men women and Children join in chorus; the women generally loudest but soonest over[.] The Tents are likewise cut in pieces, and thrown to the four cardinal points[.] In every drinking Match this Melody is repeated and probably for years afterwards. The Method with them of counting time is the same as practized by other Nations, viz. by Winters, Moons, and nights – th[e]y have names for the different Moons such as in January the Big Moon and in the spring according to the arrival of the different sorts of Game. For the four Cardinal points they have distinct names which none [29] L E G E N D : |
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