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149

Totems.

1917. I have been unable to get any good information about totems. I find them to indicate ownership of furs etc - figure would be marked on the skin, "snake, animal, cross, anything; have known deer, moose, lizard, otter & beaver so cut," says Lewis Ketchum, "Brothers would 'ave different marks."

Lewey says Gov. John Aitteans [one struck through] Neptunes mark was a snake - and tells how once when the governor's furs had been stolen, he followed to the settlements and found the furs in possession of a dealer and proved them by the snake and got them back. These were beaver. A little scoring of the film of flesh on the skin would open it up as it dried into the form desired. Gov. Neptune's snake was up & down the skin [drawing of a caduceus] so.

I find there were several families by totem names but could get at this sitting only the Wassoos (Bear) and the Lenxoos [?] (or Allaksoo) a wolverine (Indian devil) family.

Joe Necola mentions the hummingbird gens, the bear and the sturgeon gens. (Red Man p.147.)

Somewhere the dog clan is spoken of - as half breeds, or tree [?] of little repute. Is it by Abbé Maurault?

I have failed to make out anything definite.

We had a Raccoon family, now (1917) all gone -

Clara declares that Neptune meant a fish - in salt water - big mouth. Lewey does not know whether Neptune is French or Indian.