The Bishop of Yukon and Mrs. Stringer started from Dawson on the Fifth day of June on a visitation through the Northern end of the Diocese. They left Dawson on
the "Hazel B," a motor launch, and travelled four hundred miles down the Yukon River to Fort Yukon.
At Fort Yukon they secured a boat in which they travelled up the Porcupine and Bell Rivers. On the way the Bishop went ashore and held services wherever there were Indians in camp. They were most grateful, especially those who had not had the opportunity of partaking of the Holy Communion for a year or more. They seemed much cheered and encouraged. The distance travelled in this boat was five hundred miles. The Missions of Rampart House and Old Crow were visited and services held, including the rites of baptism, confirmation and Holy Communion. John Tizya, the native catechist, was at Old Crow to welcome the Bishop, and to receive all the help and teaching possible during the short stay. They were very glad to see Mrs. Stringer also, who had not been there for four years.
From near LaPierre's House (Sinclair Rock) the Bishop and Mrs. Stringer and party started across the Rocky Mountain portage across the Rocky Mountain portage of one hundred miles on foot to Fort McPherson, from which place they travelled to Aklavik on the Steamer Distributor, where they secured a gasoline launch owned and manned by an Eskimo, to carry them to Shingle Point, White Fish Station and Herschel Island.
The Rocky Mountain portage of one hundred miles had to be taken on foot. Bishop Stringer says that of all the trails he has gone over this portage is the worst. There is no special road, except in places the vestige of an old foot trail, but the Indian guides know every hill and dale, and are able to pilot any one over it. For a greater part of the way one travels over what is known as "nigger head" swamp, which is
the most difficult kind of all, especially in the summer when the ground is thawed and one sinks deep in the ruts between the nigger heads or tufts of grass supported by rather weak and wabbly necks. If the traveller should step on the nigger heads he is liable to slip off or twist his ankle, so he is compelled to step over them and sink into the deep mud between. It is most difficult walking. Then another part of the way is grown over with thick willows, through which you have to work your way. Then, swift streams have to be forded and high hills have to be climbed and rocky places have to be traversed. At times the route leads through swampy land and when the travellers come to camp they are wet to
the waist. However the journey was taken without mishap and the prayers of our Church people were answered for a safe journey and guidance and protection.
Mrs. Stringer stood the journey remarkably well, and the one hundred miles of this rough travel was made in eight days. This is the first time a white woman ever walked across this trail in summer. Three caribou were killed on the way and the larder was replenished bountifully both for the travellers and for the dogs. Everything for this journey had to be packed all the way over on the backs of the Indians and dogs, namely, camping outfit and food and clothing. Three Indians and dogs were secured for the journey.
On this trail fifteen years ago Bishop Stringer and Mr. C. F. Johnson nearly lost their lives. Mrs. Stringer said she went along this time so that the Indians might not travel too fast, and the Bishop he really enjoyed the journey at the moderate pace.
On June 30th the party reached Fort McPherson where they were welcomed by the Rey. and Mrs. J. M. Crisall, missionaries in Mackenzie River Diocese. The Indians returned to Old Crow from Fort McPherson, and after an enjoyable visit ahd rest with Mr. and Mrs. Crisall, the Steamer Distributor arrived bringing Bishop Lucas on his annual visit to Fort MePherson and Aklavik. Bishop and Mrs. Stringer proceeded to Aklavik with Bishop Lucas where they were met by the Rev. E. Hester, who was in charge of Aklavik mission. The Rev. W. A. Geddes had just arrived from the Arctic Coast to meet Bishop Stringer and take him to Shingle Point and Herschel Island, the two centres of his mission.
Leaving Aklavik on July 10th on an Eskimo Schooner they met with ice ten miles east of Shingle Point, and could only work their way through the ice to a point five miles farther on, where they camped four days before the ice opened sufficiently to allow them to proceed on a small boat to Shingle point.
On July 26th Bishop and Mrs. Stringer and Mr. Geddes, in company with some of the Hudson's Bay Company men and Inspector and Mrs. Caulkin of the R. C. M. Police attempted to reach Herschel Island in a small schooner equipped with a gasoline engine belonging to one of the Eskimos. But ice was encountered before half the distance had been covered, and although with some difficulty the Schooner was kept going through the loose ice, an impassible barrier of ice was met when still about fifteen miles distant from the Island, and the attempt had to be abandoned. They were able, however, to visit all the Eskimos along the coast as well as at Shingle Point and Niakonit otherwise known as White Fish Station, where a large number of Eskimos had gathered together for their annual whale hunt. In all about three weeks were spent amongst the Eskimos.
The reception given to Mrs. Stringer by the Eskimos was remarkable, and they expressed their delight and pleasure in every way possible. Mrs. Stringer says it did
her heart good to hear the Eskimos who had attended the day school at Herschel Island twenty-eight years ago, sing the hymns of our Church so heartily, and to hear Garrett Notik and the other catechists take the services in Eskimo. Notik had been a boy in the Herschel Island Day School and had received his first Christian teaching from Bishop and Mrs. Stringer. Now he is able to take the services and expound the scriptures and his Christianity means much to him.
In order that the Bishop should get out in time for the Board Meetings in Toronto and the General Synod in London he had to return from the Arctic Coast to Aklavik
about the first of August to catch the Steamer Distributor on her second trip. He and Mrs. Stringer, accompanied by the Rev. W. A. Geddes and Bishop Lucas, came out by way of Mackenzie River to Edmonton, whieh point was reached on the 22nd of August.
The Bishop attended the Board Meetings in Toronto and the General Synod in London during the latter part of September and the first part of October.
Mrs. Stringer was present at the Woman's Auxiliary meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, the first part of October.
They are now on their way back to their home in Dawson. The distance covered on the whole round trip will be nearly ten thousand miles.
