A sad case of destitution and want has been brought to light by the death
of an Indian woman night before last. She died from paralysis, and during the long and bitterly cold weather of the past few weeks laid helpless in a miserable brush hut on the east side of the river in sight and hearing of hundreds of charitable people who, had they but known of her condition, would have spared neither money nor time in her relief. It appears, however, to be a trait of Indian character to suffer in silence and without complaint, and had not Dr. Pare of the N. W. M. P. accidentally heard of her illness and
gone to see her she would have passed away and no one been the wiser except as to the fact of her death. When her condition became known to the police everything possible was done for her but without avail, and within a few hours after Dr. Pare's visit the unfortunate woman was released from suffering by the kind hand of death.
Although during her life this poor Indian woman may have been unhonored
and unkhown her death, and the manner_of it, promise to be of lasting benefit to her people for the reason that it has drawn public attention to their deplorable condition during the long and extremely cold winter months. Since last fall quite a village of these people has been located on the river bank below and almost opposite White Horse. Several deaths have occurred but nothing was thought of the matter, as it is well know that they are specially predisposed to disease from their unsanitary methods of life. It was not suspected that the deaths might have been, and from present indications probably were, directly attributable to a want of proper nourishment and care.
There appears to be no one upon whom to place the responsibility. As
far as we can learn no provision has been made by the government for their relief, although we believe Judge T. W. Jackson has forwarded a petition to those in authority looking toward that end.
The N. W. M. P. have frequently been called upon for aid by Indians when sick or in want and have always responded to the call, but unless a case of destitution is brought directly to their notice they have no power to act nor have they any funds upon which to draw for such relief. All that they have done has been a voluntary contribution.
At the present time there is an Indian lying in a tent in the south part of town. He has been sick for weeks and has been looked after and cared for by members of the N. W.M. P. Certainly here is a chance for the good people of White Horse to extend charity and help. There has recently been an effort to better the spiritual condition of the Indians living near White Horse. Would it not subserve Christianity better and have a more beneficial influence to first look after them temporally and trust to precept and example to inculcate into them a desire for spiritual welfare?
Something should be done at once for the relief of these people, and as it is manifestly impossible to admit the sick as inmates of the General Hospital we should devise some means to furnish them with a place of their own where they can be looked after and cared for in sickness and in want. Some kind of temporary arrangement could be made
until the matter can be laid before the authorities with strong representations as to the urgent necessity of immediate action.
