Chippewa Customs

PAYMENT OF ANNUITY

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 wrapped in great bundles and prepared before the day they were to be distributed, several clerks being necessary to tear off the lengths of cloth and sort out the articles. The blankets were of three colors, white, red, and green. Each chief personally received a little more than the Indians, this being called the "surplus." As a matter of fact, the quantity of goods required for the chiefs was taken out first, each receiving according to the size of his band, and the remainder was divided pro rata among the Indians. A man usually receivedA three-point blanket. Broadcloth for breechcloth and leggings. Calico or linsey-woolsey for shirt. Knife. DENSMOREl CHIPPEWA CUSTOMS 139 Gun (flintlock). Comb. Lead bars for making bullets. (These bars were about 16 inches long and the thickness of a man's thumb, and could be broken in short pieces with an ax.) A woman usually receivedA two-and-a-half point blanket. Calico or linsey-woolsey for dress. Flannel. Comb. Broadcloth torn in dress lengths. Needles, thimble, thread, scissors (thread in skeins). Tin dishes. For a child there would be given a one-point or two-point blanket and cloth for a dress, or other needed articles. The principal articles of food distributed were flour, pork, and saleratus. After the goods had been distributed the Indians were given money, the payment being in silver and amounting to three to ten dollars per person. The issuing was done expeditiously. The agent's interpreter usually acted as roll keeper. He called the name of a chief, and the chief stepped forward and stood beside him. The interpreter then called the names of the members of that band and the number of shares to which each was entitled. The chief was ready to identify the men if necessary, and to see that each was given his share. The man spread his blanket on the floor, put the articles in it, tied the corners together and threw the pack over his shoulder, giving place to the next man. The" shares" corresponded to the number of persons in his family. Traders were allowed inside to collect accounts, bringing a list of the charges against individuals. Frequently an Indian would give the trader all his payment money, and the trader would take out the amount of the charge, or, at the Indian's request, would keep the entire amount. In such·an event the Indian would later go to the trader and ask how his account stood. If the balance was in the Indian's favor the trader would ask whether he wanted cash or...