A discussion about the construction of log and birch canoes ; the tuberculosis epidemic ; the effects of non-Indians on Indian life style : spiritual values, hunting; fishing; land use, etc.
Interview includes stories about a ghost priest and a non-existent camp. Also included is a story of how a lame boy's skill as a medicine man won him a chieftainship and a wife.
Interview includes a biographical account of Antoine Lonesinger's life that includes stories about farming, trapping, house construction and the making of charcoal and lime. He also tells of the murder of an Indian Agent at the hands of a Blackfoot named Owl Eyes.
Interview with Mr Lonesinger who tells stories of Indian agents both good and bad. He also tells of the Battle of the Cut Knife Hill and the banning of the Sundance.
Consists of an interview with non-Indian employed at the Gabriel Dumont Institute in Regina. At the time of the interview he was writing a book on the history of the Metis nation.
Interviews with 13 residents of the Chipewyan Lake area of northern Alberta.- Stresses need for establishment of a reserve in this area, and promises made to them about this.- Describe various lifestyles including farming, trapping and fishing.- Shows how settlement patterns in remote areas have been influenced by the location of schools and stores.
Joe Duquette, born 1904, on Mistawasis Reserve, never attended school, completely self-educated. Now Senator of F.S.I. and involved in teaching and counselling young people. He tells the story of his arranged marriage.
Mr. Phelps was the Minister of Natural Resources in the Saskatchewan CCF government from 1944 to 1948. He speaks of attempts to replace welfare in the north with programs for fish and fur marketing.
Mr. Gladue, aged 86, describes the discovery of Trout Lake, Alberta; the abundance of buffalo in the area; his life as atrapper. He gives a detailed and graphic account of a winter journey from Wabasca to Yellowknife and back, including his attendance at a Chipewyan funeral and feast.
Interview includes a description of life on the reserve that describes milking, sheep-shearing and fishing weirs. It also consists of stories about a woman whose husband turned into a lizard; a story of Wisakedjak; and how Thunder Blanket killed his wife and then himself.
This 83-year old gentleman talks about work as trapper, farmer, builder, carpenter; a serious accident at High Prairie; work as councillor on the Drift Pile River Reserve and developments on that reserve; and about relinquishing treaty status.
He gives an account of the Sioux participation in the War of 1812 on the side of the British, and the Sioux interpretation of the reward promised them by the British Crown; tells the history and whereabouts of the King George III medals given to the Sioux for their loyalty to the British Crown during the War of 1812; tells the story of two Sioux chiefs who were kidnapped in Manitoba and returned to the United States, presumably for their part in the 1862 Sioux uprising (Minnesota Massacre); tells of the dispersal of the Sioux in their flight from the U.S.
An interview with Rufus Goodstriker, born in 1924 on the Blood Indian Reserve and attended a residential school. He tells of the origins and significance of the transfer of Indian names, especially within his own family. He also talks about Indian medicine and the power of faith; the Indian spiritual way vs. the Western technological way;of herbs, animal spirits, sweat bath in healing etc.
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.
Elders present songs and prayers with discussion about the loss of traditions and values, evils of alcohol, role of elders, etc. Also stories of adventures in intertribal warfare ; a story of a man who married a thunderwoman.