Chippewa Customs

EXCHANGE OF COMMODITIES WITHIN THE TRIBE

DENSMORlIl} CHIPPEWA CUSTOMS 137 Perpendicular posts connected the runners with the floor of the sled, extending high above it and holding the load in place. (PI. 50, a.) In loading either the sledge or toboggan a blanket or hide Wl1S spread on the ground. Articles were placed on it and the blanket or hide securely folded over them. A number of such packets were made. A sled for immediate use might be made of rough branches tied together with green bark. This was made of branches of ash, the joinings being effected by splitting the branch, turning back the two sections, and binding each securely with green bark to the desired position. Such a sled might be made by a man in the woods and used to bring home game he had shot. (PI. 50, b.) This was similar to the snowshoe in Plate 54, d. METHODS OF MEASURING TIME, DISTANCE, AND QUANTITY The native terms for these measurements are given on pages 17-19. By examination of these it will be noted that they are usually expressed in reference to the human body or to some manifestation of nature rather than in arbitrary terminology. Thus linear measurements are designated by the thumb, hand, and arm. Measures of small quantity are referred to the handful or to a " swallow." Measures of distance are referred to a man's endurance or convenience in traveling from place to place. The terms for day are referred to the sun and moon, and the divisions of the year are designated according to the progress of the seasons, or man's relation to them, as October, the falling (leaf) moon, and April the month in which something is boiled and evaporated, understood to refer to the making of maple sugar. The Chippewa studied the heavens at night, and could tell the time of the night and the season of year by the stars. They had names for some of the constellations, such as the "bear head" and the "bear back." EXCHANGE OF COMMODITIES WITHIN THE TRIBE The Chippewa were surrounded by sources of supply that were abundant for their needs, but among them, as in any community, some persons made better use of opportunities than did their companions . If a family had more than enough for their needs, they frequently made gifts or exchanged with others in a friendly manner . It was considered beneath the dignity of an Indian to "dicker" or trade with a view of getting an exact equivalent. This did not arise until the traders came and traded for furs, placing a definite price upon commodities. 138 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL. 86 An example of specialized industrial work is afforded by the statement that there was an old lame man who "had knives and could cut and scrape anything." It was said that he could carve ladles and put native dyes on them. So skillful was this old man that "people would travel miles to get his work, and he supplied the whole reservation with pipestems." PAYMENT OF ANNUITY Previous to the treaty of 1854 the Chippewa went to Madeline Island in Lake Superior to receive their annuities. The supplies to be distributed were brought in sailing vessels, the only vessels on Lake Superior at that time being the Algonquin ane the J ohm Jacob Asto·r. The coin was shipped from 'Washington in boxes, each of which contained $1,000. From this custom arose the use of a Chippewa word meaning "a little box full," in referring to one thousand dollars. The tops of the boxes were screwed down and the top of each screw was covered with sealing wax. The Chippewa term for annuity means" the paying." The Chippewa to the number of many thousands came from over the entire territory now comprised in northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota, traveling on foot or' in canoes. The annuities were given early in September, and the Indians came some time before that. They were brought from the mainland to the island in great bateaux, and received rations while waiting for the annuities. In later years the annuities were paid at Fond du Lac, and still more recently at the various agencies on the reservations. A few days before the payment ef an annuity the chief of each band with his leading warrior went to the issue clerk and reported the number of families in that band, the persons comprising the families, and any special needs they might have. The articles were...