hv_swaynej_diary_1798_078

The death of Hyute led me to enquire of one of our neighbours how the Indians divided the property of a deceased person. I was informed that it is commonly divi-ded amongst the brothers and sisters of the deceased. the Wife or Children having no claim thereto, but in former times they buried the apparrel with the corps and then burned the House with all of its contents 30 of the month 20 or 30 Indians called at our house being on their way to Genisatego to perform their half years worship and notwithstanding I have never been to see them I will en- deavour, to give a brief account of their proceedings which I had by information. In the first place they are very zealous to have their people generally collected some that are not able to walk are hauled by two or three of their friends ten or twelve miles on the ice or snow wrapped up in Blan-kets, buck-skins, when the necessary prepa-rations are made they place themselves in a circle round a large image which is