Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 14:07:37 GMT -5
Cree Indian History - Cree
Cree (contracted from Kristinaux, French form of Kenistenoag, given as one
of their own names).
An important Algonquian tribe of British America whose former habitat was in
Manitoba and Assiniboia, between Red and Saskatchewan rivers. They ranged
northeastward down Nelson river to the vicinity of Hudson Bay, and
northwestward almost to Athabasca lake. When they first became known to the
Jesuit missionaries a part of them resided in the region of James Bay, as it
is stated as early as 1640 that "they dwell on the rivers of the north sea
where Nipissings go to trade with them"; but the Jesuit Relations of 1661
and 1667 indicate a region farther to the northwest as the home of the
larger part of the tribe. A portion of the Cree, as appears from the
tradition given by Lacombe (Diet. Lang. Cris), inhabited for a time the
region about Red river, intermingled with the Chippewa and Maskegon, but
were attracted to the plains by the buffalo, the Cree like the Chippewa
being essentially a forest people. Many bands of Cree were virtually nomads,
their movements being governed largely by the food supply. The Cree are
closely related, linguistically and of otherwise, to the Chippewa. Hayden
regarded them as an offshoot of the latter, and the Maskegon another
division of the same ethnic group.
At some comparatively recent time the Assiniboin, a branch of the Sioux, in
consequence of a quarrel, broke away from their brethren and sought alliance
with the Cree. The latter received them cordially and granted them a home in
their territory, thereby forming friendly relations that have continued to
the present day. The united tribes attacked and drove southwestward the
Siksika and allied tribes who formerly dwelt along the Saskatchewan. The
enmity between these tribes and both the Siksika and the Sioux has ever
since continued. After the Cree obtained firearms they made raids into the
Athapascan country, even to the Rocky mountains. and as far north as
Mackenzie river, but Churchill river was accounted the extreme north limit
of their territory, and in their cessions of land to Canada they claimed
nothing beyond this line. Mackenzie, speaking of the region of Churchill
river, says the original people of this area, probably Slaves, were driven
out by the Cree.
As the people of this tribe have been friendly from their first intercourse
with both the English and the French, and until quite recently were left
comparatively undisturbed in the enjoyment of their territory, there has
been but little recorded in regard to their history. This consists almost
wholly of their contests with neighboring tribes and their relations with
the Hudson Bay Co. In 1786, according to Hind, these Indians, as well as
those of surrounding tribes, were reduced to less than half their former
numbers by smallpox. The same disease again swept off at least half the
prairie tribes in 1838. They were thus reduced, according to Hind, to
one-sixth or one-eighth of their former population. In more recent years,
since game has become scarce, they have lived chiefly in scattered bands,
depending largely on trade with the agents of the Hudson Bay Co. At present
they are gathered chiefly in bands on various reserves in Manitoba, mostly
with the Chippewa.
Their dispersion into bands subject to different conditions with regard to
the supply and character of their food has resulted in varying physical
characteristics; hence the varying descriptions given by explorers.
Mackenzie, who describes the Cree comprehensively, says they are of moderate
stature, well proportioned, and of great activity. Their complexion is
copper-colored and their hair black, as is common among Indians. Their eyes
are black, keen, and penetrating; their countenance open and agreeable. In
regard to the women he says: "Of all the nations which I have seen on this
continent, the Knisteneaux women are the most comely. Their figure is
generally well proportioned, and the regularity of their features would be
acknowledged by the inure civilized people of Europe. Their complexion has
less of that dark tinge which is common to those savages who have less
cleanly habits.'' Umfreville, from whom Mackenzie appears to have copied in
part what is here stated, says that they are more inclined to be lean of
body than otherwise, a corpulent Indian being "a much greater curiosity than
a sober one." Clark (Sign Language, 1885) describes the Cree seen by him as
wretchedly poor and mentally and physically inferior to the Plains Indians;
and Harmon says that those of the tribe who inhabit the plains are fairer
and more cleanly than the others.
Their hair was cut in various fashions, according to the tribal divisions,
and by some left in its natural state. Henry says the young men shaved off
the hair except a small spot on the crown of the head. Their dress consisted
of tight leggings, reaching nearly to the hip, a strip of cloth or leather
about 1 ft. wide and 5 ft. long passing between the legs and under a belt
around the waist, the ends being allowed to hang down in front and behind; a
vest or shirt reaching to the hips; sometimes a cap for the head made of a
piece of fur or a small skin, and sometimes a robe thrown over the dress.
These articles, with moccasins and mittens, constituted their apparel. The
dress of the women consisted of the same materials, but the shirt extended
to the knees, being fastened over the shoulders with cords and at the waist
with a belt, and having a flap at the shoulders; the arms were covered to
the wrist with detached sleeves.
Umfreville says that in trading, fraud, cunning, Indian finesse, and every
concomitant vice was practiced by them from the boy of 12 years to the
octogenarian, but where trade was not concerned they were scrupulously
honest. Mackenzie says that they were naturally mild and affable, as well as
just in their dealings among themselves and with strangers; that any
deviation from these traits is to be attributed to the influence of the
white traders. He also describes them as generous, hospitable, and
exceedingly good natured except when under the influence of spirituous
liquor. Chastity was not considered a virtue among them, though infidelity
of a wife was sometimes severely punished. Polygamy was common; and when a
man's wife died it was considered his duty to marry her sister, if she had
one. The arms and utensils used before trade articles were introduced by the
whites were pots of stone, arrow-points, spearheads, hatchets, and other
edged tools of flint, knives of buffalo rib, fishhooks made out of sturgeon
hones, and awls from bones of the moose. The fibrous roots of the white pine
were used as twine for sewing their bark canoes, and a kind of thread from a
weed for making nets. Spoons and pans were fashioned front the horns of the
moose (Hayden). They sometimes made fishhooks by inserting a piece of bone
obliquely into a stick and sharpening the point. Their lines were either
thongs fastened together or braided willow bark. Their skin tipis, like
those of the northern Athapascans, were raised on poles set up in conical
form, but were usually more commodious. They occasionally erect a larger
structure of lattice work, covered with birch bark, in which 40 men or more
can assemble for council, feasting, or religious rites.
The dead were usually buried in shallow graves, the body being covered with
a pile of stones and earth to protect it from beasts of prey. The grave was
lined with branches, some of the articles belonging to the deceased being
placed in it, and in some sections a sort of canopy was erected over it.
Where the deceased had distinguished himself in war his body was laid,
according to Mackenzie, on a kind of scaffolding; but at a later date Hayden
says they did not practice tree or scaffold burial. Tattooing was almost
universal among the Cree before it was abandoned through the influence of
the whites. The women were content with having a line or two drawn from the
corners of the month toward the angles of the lower jaw; but some of the men
covered their bodies with lines and figures. The Cree of the Woods are
expert canoe men and the women lighten considerably their labors by the use
of the canoe, especially where lakes and rivers abound. A double-head drum
and a rattle are used in all religious ceremonies except those which take
place in the sweat house. Their religious beliefs are generally similar to
those of the Chippewa.
In 1776, before smallpox had greatly reduced them, the population of the
Cree proper was estimated at about 15,000. Most of the estimates during the
last century give them from 2,500 to 3,000. There are now about 10,000 in
Manitoba (7,000 under agencies) and about 5,000 roving in Northwest
Territory; total, 15,000.
Handbook of American Indians (1906) ~ Frederick W. Hodge
Cree (contracted from Kristinaux, French form of Kenistenoag, given as one
of their own names).
An important Algonquian tribe of British America whose former habitat was in
Manitoba and Assiniboia, between Red and Saskatchewan rivers. They ranged
northeastward down Nelson river to the vicinity of Hudson Bay, and
northwestward almost to Athabasca lake. When they first became known to the
Jesuit missionaries a part of them resided in the region of James Bay, as it
is stated as early as 1640 that "they dwell on the rivers of the north sea
where Nipissings go to trade with them"; but the Jesuit Relations of 1661
and 1667 indicate a region farther to the northwest as the home of the
larger part of the tribe. A portion of the Cree, as appears from the
tradition given by Lacombe (Diet. Lang. Cris), inhabited for a time the
region about Red river, intermingled with the Chippewa and Maskegon, but
were attracted to the plains by the buffalo, the Cree like the Chippewa
being essentially a forest people. Many bands of Cree were virtually nomads,
their movements being governed largely by the food supply. The Cree are
closely related, linguistically and of otherwise, to the Chippewa. Hayden
regarded them as an offshoot of the latter, and the Maskegon another
division of the same ethnic group.
At some comparatively recent time the Assiniboin, a branch of the Sioux, in
consequence of a quarrel, broke away from their brethren and sought alliance
with the Cree. The latter received them cordially and granted them a home in
their territory, thereby forming friendly relations that have continued to
the present day. The united tribes attacked and drove southwestward the
Siksika and allied tribes who formerly dwelt along the Saskatchewan. The
enmity between these tribes and both the Siksika and the Sioux has ever
since continued. After the Cree obtained firearms they made raids into the
Athapascan country, even to the Rocky mountains. and as far north as
Mackenzie river, but Churchill river was accounted the extreme north limit
of their territory, and in their cessions of land to Canada they claimed
nothing beyond this line. Mackenzie, speaking of the region of Churchill
river, says the original people of this area, probably Slaves, were driven
out by the Cree.
As the people of this tribe have been friendly from their first intercourse
with both the English and the French, and until quite recently were left
comparatively undisturbed in the enjoyment of their territory, there has
been but little recorded in regard to their history. This consists almost
wholly of their contests with neighboring tribes and their relations with
the Hudson Bay Co. In 1786, according to Hind, these Indians, as well as
those of surrounding tribes, were reduced to less than half their former
numbers by smallpox. The same disease again swept off at least half the
prairie tribes in 1838. They were thus reduced, according to Hind, to
one-sixth or one-eighth of their former population. In more recent years,
since game has become scarce, they have lived chiefly in scattered bands,
depending largely on trade with the agents of the Hudson Bay Co. At present
they are gathered chiefly in bands on various reserves in Manitoba, mostly
with the Chippewa.
Their dispersion into bands subject to different conditions with regard to
the supply and character of their food has resulted in varying physical
characteristics; hence the varying descriptions given by explorers.
Mackenzie, who describes the Cree comprehensively, says they are of moderate
stature, well proportioned, and of great activity. Their complexion is
copper-colored and their hair black, as is common among Indians. Their eyes
are black, keen, and penetrating; their countenance open and agreeable. In
regard to the women he says: "Of all the nations which I have seen on this
continent, the Knisteneaux women are the most comely. Their figure is
generally well proportioned, and the regularity of their features would be
acknowledged by the inure civilized people of Europe. Their complexion has
less of that dark tinge which is common to those savages who have less
cleanly habits.'' Umfreville, from whom Mackenzie appears to have copied in
part what is here stated, says that they are more inclined to be lean of
body than otherwise, a corpulent Indian being "a much greater curiosity than
a sober one." Clark (Sign Language, 1885) describes the Cree seen by him as
wretchedly poor and mentally and physically inferior to the Plains Indians;
and Harmon says that those of the tribe who inhabit the plains are fairer
and more cleanly than the others.
Their hair was cut in various fashions, according to the tribal divisions,
and by some left in its natural state. Henry says the young men shaved off
the hair except a small spot on the crown of the head. Their dress consisted
of tight leggings, reaching nearly to the hip, a strip of cloth or leather
about 1 ft. wide and 5 ft. long passing between the legs and under a belt
around the waist, the ends being allowed to hang down in front and behind; a
vest or shirt reaching to the hips; sometimes a cap for the head made of a
piece of fur or a small skin, and sometimes a robe thrown over the dress.
These articles, with moccasins and mittens, constituted their apparel. The
dress of the women consisted of the same materials, but the shirt extended
to the knees, being fastened over the shoulders with cords and at the waist
with a belt, and having a flap at the shoulders; the arms were covered to
the wrist with detached sleeves.
Umfreville says that in trading, fraud, cunning, Indian finesse, and every
concomitant vice was practiced by them from the boy of 12 years to the
octogenarian, but where trade was not concerned they were scrupulously
honest. Mackenzie says that they were naturally mild and affable, as well as
just in their dealings among themselves and with strangers; that any
deviation from these traits is to be attributed to the influence of the
white traders. He also describes them as generous, hospitable, and
exceedingly good natured except when under the influence of spirituous
liquor. Chastity was not considered a virtue among them, though infidelity
of a wife was sometimes severely punished. Polygamy was common; and when a
man's wife died it was considered his duty to marry her sister, if she had
one. The arms and utensils used before trade articles were introduced by the
whites were pots of stone, arrow-points, spearheads, hatchets, and other
edged tools of flint, knives of buffalo rib, fishhooks made out of sturgeon
hones, and awls from bones of the moose. The fibrous roots of the white pine
were used as twine for sewing their bark canoes, and a kind of thread from a
weed for making nets. Spoons and pans were fashioned front the horns of the
moose (Hayden). They sometimes made fishhooks by inserting a piece of bone
obliquely into a stick and sharpening the point. Their lines were either
thongs fastened together or braided willow bark. Their skin tipis, like
those of the northern Athapascans, were raised on poles set up in conical
form, but were usually more commodious. They occasionally erect a larger
structure of lattice work, covered with birch bark, in which 40 men or more
can assemble for council, feasting, or religious rites.
The dead were usually buried in shallow graves, the body being covered with
a pile of stones and earth to protect it from beasts of prey. The grave was
lined with branches, some of the articles belonging to the deceased being
placed in it, and in some sections a sort of canopy was erected over it.
Where the deceased had distinguished himself in war his body was laid,
according to Mackenzie, on a kind of scaffolding; but at a later date Hayden
says they did not practice tree or scaffold burial. Tattooing was almost
universal among the Cree before it was abandoned through the influence of
the whites. The women were content with having a line or two drawn from the
corners of the month toward the angles of the lower jaw; but some of the men
covered their bodies with lines and figures. The Cree of the Woods are
expert canoe men and the women lighten considerably their labors by the use
of the canoe, especially where lakes and rivers abound. A double-head drum
and a rattle are used in all religious ceremonies except those which take
place in the sweat house. Their religious beliefs are generally similar to
those of the Chippewa.
In 1776, before smallpox had greatly reduced them, the population of the
Cree proper was estimated at about 15,000. Most of the estimates during the
last century give them from 2,500 to 3,000. There are now about 10,000 in
Manitoba (7,000 under agencies) and about 5,000 roving in Northwest
Territory; total, 15,000.
Handbook of American Indians (1906) ~ Frederick W. Hodge