This thesis explores the interrelationship between the disintegration of traditional culture among the Haisla of Kitamaat, British Columbia, and that group's participation in the Industrial economy of the Northwest Coast. Initially, the ecological dimension of ranking and chieftainship in traditional Haisla society is examined. It is proposed that localized variability of resources was sufficient to create shortages within village groups or sub-groups, which would require the intervention of a regulatory mechanism such as chiefly redistribution. This regulation of resources promoted the establishment of populations consistent with the high average productivity of a region rather than the more variable productivity of individual sites. High status accrued to those who, because of the greater regularity and reliability of their resource holdings, were able to act as donors more often than less favoured groups or subgroups. The disintegration of this system coincided with the natives' participation in the industrial economy of the coast. This participation is examined in terms of the extent and type of merchantable resources in the region; their accessibility and availability to native producers; the number, type, and location of markets; prevailing prices and potential income; compatibility of various occupations, both with each other and with traditional subsistence activities; and, the socio-political implications for the natives of their participation. (The removal of the chiefs from the apex of the economic system was initiated by the decline in importance of traditional resource sites, as population decline reduced the exploitative pressure on the resource base that the large aboriginal population had exerted The Haislas participation in the industrial economy further undermined aboriginal social organization by establishing a system of resource exploitation that was independent of the traditional political structure and the services of the central figures. Access to resources and wealth became governed by factors outside the chiefs' control, and in fact placed them in the same economic position as anyone else, in that success became due to personal characteristics, such as skill or stamina (or luck) rather than social position.) Two non-economic factors contributory to cultural change, Missionization and severe population decline, are examined.) The establishment of an evangelical mission among the Haisla promoted change in two ways: the missionaries themselves were often bent on eradicating all forms of native culture that they considered incompatible with their teachings; in addition, by establishing separate mission settlements, they provided a sanctuary in which innovative social forms could be adopted, enabling novel adaptations to prevailing economic or political circumstances to proceed relatively unhampered by conservative pressure or reprisals. The population decline enforced a receptivity to social innovation even among traditionalist elements, who were obliged to countenance manipulation of the social system in order to maintain some semblance of continuity in the face of depletion of the social units and disruption of lines of succession. These innovations were elaborated by reformist elements, which contributed further to the dissolution of 'pure' native forms. The eventual replacement of the traditional matrilineal system by the European bilateral one was preceded by an extended period in which both systems operated simultaneously. This process is considered, focussing on changes in the traditional system of named, ranked statuses and their transmission via the potlatch. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

The Lillooet are a Salish speaking people living in the interior of southwestern British Columbia. In the light of recent archaeological and linguistic research in the Plateau, it seems likely that Lillooet boundaries in pre-White times, were different from those held at the time of White contact. Borden and Swadesh have presented evidence which suggests that Athapaskan speaking peoples were moving south, displacing and dispersing formerly contiguous groups. My own information indicates that in late pre-historic times at least, pressures exerted by the Chilcotin and Shuswap were keenly felt by the Lillooet. The Lillooet on the other hand, were not on good terms with the Stalo to the south of them and engaged in periodic scuffles with them over hunting rights. It is thus possible that the Lillooet under pressure from the north moved south where they came into conflict with the normally peaceful Stalo, who resisted Lillooet advances into their territory. The Lillooet were not organized into one large political unit. The ties of kinship, common language, and culture encouraged a loose sense of unity which did not, however, find expression in political unity. The villages were grouped together into local bands, the significant political units. Each band had a hereditary chief whose power lay in the orderly regulation of peace time affairs. This power did not extend beyond the band. High social standing was based on achievement and the respect which such achievement inspired. Most families of high social standing attempted to preserve their position in the community by controlling the marriages of their children and by teaching them the techniques and behaviour upon which success and respect were based. Thus the Lillooet considered the "training to live" period an important part of the individual’s life. It was felt that people of prestige would inculcate the proper qualities in their children and aid them in acquiring powerful spirits, which in turn, would increase their prestige and social standing in the community. A family of high standing tried to choose marriage partners for their offspring from a family of equal or of greater social status, for it was felt that only families of prestige and achievement would "train" their children in the proper manner. Poverty and inability were considered to be the results of poor training and of lazy and careless behaviour. To introduce such characteristics into a household would be to endanger the status of that household. Serious training commenced at puberty and consisted of isolation, fasting, frequent bathing and scrubbing, the observance of a number of restrictions and the enactment of prescribed symbolic behaviour, as well as a more intense instruction in handicrafts and other practical tasks. It was at this time that boys usually sought spirit aid in hunting, fishing and curing, and it was for this purpose that they endured a period of isolation and observed a number of restrictions. The persistence and sincerity with which this training was carried out was reflected in later successes. Because accomplishment was the basis of prestige and respect, and hence power, and because accomplishment depended a great deal upon the way people conducted themselves during this critical period, the training period was considered to be of great importance. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

[No Abstract Submitted] / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

Whites, commonly class the Northern Arapahoes as a warlike tribe, but they call themselves a peaceful people. This study represents an attempt to discover the part of the Northern Arapahoes in the relations between the United States and the Indians of the plains from 1851 to 1879, and to determine whether they really were a peaceful group. This was a bellicose period, including raids along the Platte, the Powder River Wars, the Sand Creek and Washita massacres by whites, and the Fetterman and Custer massacres by Indians. The Northern Arapahoes associated with the mighty Sioux, dreaded by the whites, and with the Cheyennes, called the Fighting Cheyennes by Grinnell, who knew them well. Anthropological works contributed importantly to an understanding of plains Indian culture and the societal structure and practices of the Arapahoes. Correspsndence with the Indian Office and a former Commissioner of Indian Affairs produced important references on Indian policy, used to clarify the significance of material found in Government reports. Information from general works was crosschecked wherever possible, and each author's predilection considered. Historical bulletins from Colorado and Wyoming, and ether periodicals gave scraps of information which, unimportant by themselves, sometimes helped in solving problems. Contemporary newspapers, especially the Cheyenne Leader, also contributed in this respect, as well as showing the attitude of settlers toward the Indians who barred them from the free exploitation of lands and resources. An acquaintance with the Northern Arapahoes, through residence on their reservation, contributed toward an understanding of their character, learning of their traditions, developing an interest in their history and culture. Although the Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1851 was expected to usher in fifty years of peace between the United States and the Indians of the plains, three factors foredoomed the dream to failure: the Indian policy of the United States with its vacillations and misunderstandings; public attitude toward the Indians, colored by desire for their lands, fear of the braves, and a dogmatic faith in their own destiny to populate and civilize the plains; and lastly, the Indian's way of life, which he was loath to abandon, as it satisfied his social and emotional needs. Misunderstandings contributed to clashes between reds and whites; pressure upon their lands by gold seekers, stockmen and farmers, and the destruction of their game by immigrants made the Indians apprehensive; forays of hungry braves on settler's stock, and their reluctance to abandon their game of inter-tribal raiding for horses, scalps and prestige kept the whites on edge. Despite the fact that Federal troops waged war against their Sioux and Cheyenne friends a few years after the Treaty of 1851, nearly fourteen years elapsed before an appreciable number Northern Arapahoes engaged in hostilities. Even then a majority of the tribe abstained. During the Powder River Wars, 1865 to 1868, more participated, but never the entire tribe. Only once during the period from 1851 to 1879 is there any likelihood that all of the Northern Arapahoes' fought against the whites. This was in the Bates Battle of 1874; and even here positive evidence is lacking. During Custer's final days, when hundreds of Sioux and Cheyennes followed Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, the Northern Arapahoes, almost to a man, refrained from hostilities. This fact, with others of a kindred nature, finally brought recognition by the Government of the peaceful disposition of the Northern Arapahoes, On the basis of the evidence examined: the Northern Arapahoes should be classed among the most peaceable of the plains tribes. / Arts, Faculty of / History, Department of / Graduate

This thesis attempts to depict and analyze an area or time space in the life of two selected Coast Salish informants from the Musqueam Reserve. A series of interviews with the informants produced an extensive and comprehensive account of their work patterns, information on other closely related facets of the life style of the informants, and their relationship to various culture groups. Perhaps the most important features revealed are implicit — the informants' concepts of self in society. Through these texts a Native perspective of recent history can be seen emerging. This perspective is more evident in the verbatim transcripts than it would be in a closely edited text. The analysis attempts to demonstrate the relationship of work history to total life history, the importance of the culturally related patterns and cycles to work. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of English Language and Literature. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 1958. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-102). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Los Angeles, 1987. / Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 387-421).

Thesis--Bryn Mawr College. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 157-159.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1941. / Vita. Bibliography: p. [183]-227.