Shuswap shorthand on birchbark

[Dave Robertson]

This is an interesting eyewitness account by H.I. Smith, who visited the 
Kamloops area and even took photos of Jargon shorthand grave markers.  The 
letters he refers to below must have been in shorthand too.  Other pages 
of the article discuss the origin, introduction, and proud use of the 
shorthand by First Nations of the area.

Some of you will be interested in his notes elsewhere in this photo-
illustrated article about the trip by Le Jeune, Chief Louis, and 
Chief "Tciilxitca" to Europe in 1904.  --  Dave

"On the night of Queen Victoria's 
jubilee day, the Indians near Kam- 
loops built a great fire on the peak 
of the mountain which stands guard 
over their reservation. It was a great 
surprise to us when we looked up and 
saw fire and smoke rising from the 
peak in the night, the mountain appearing 
like a great volcano; but it 
was only the result of days of labor 
on the part of these dusky but loyal 
subjects of the Queen. At that time 
they wrote several letters to Her Majesty 
on sheets of birchbark, using the 
Shuswap language, which they recorded 
in phonetic symbols. These 
letters were sent to the Queen by 
Father Le Jeune, and must have 
proved of interest to the sovereign of the lowly authors." 

Harlan I. Smith.  1909. "An American Oberammergau: The passion-play by 
American Indians". Putnam's & The Reader.  Pp. 294-303. (Quotation is from 
page 302)

To respond to the CHINOOK list, click 'REPLY ALL'.  To respond privately to the sender of a message, click 'REPLY'.  Hayu masi!