American Indian Quarterly, vol. 15, no. 1, Winter, 1991, pp. 65-89
Description
Article attempts to examine some of the reasons the Chumash people elected to be baptized, the consequences for that choice, and the resistance (both overt and subversive) that they offered to Christian missionaries.
Nine elders in discussion at Saddle Lake Reserve. They talk about aspects of life before contact with whites, Treaty #6, the history of amalgamations and land sales, and a traditional story of a boy raised by buffalo.
Several topics are discussed: describes the acceptance by the Peigans of Treaty #7, and its effects on their way of life; compares U.S. and Canadian treaties and criticizes Canadian education of Indians; briefly describes some aspects of traditional ceremonies; and tells story of two spirits gambling for control of lands adjacent to Rockies.
William Okeymaw was 12 years old at the time when he attended the Treaty #8 negotiations.He describes the negotiations and his understanding of the promises made; the role of the missionaries; talks of some of the Indian agents; and the abundance of buffalo in Lesser Slave Lake area at one time.