KUTCHIN

a group of Athabascan-speaking North American Indian tribes inhabiting the basins of the Yukon and Peel rivers in eastern Alaska and the Yukon Territorya land of coniferous forests interspersed by open barren ground. The name Kutchin, meaning People, is given collectively to an indefinite number of distinct tribes, there being no precise agreement among authorities on whom to include under this cover name, which is as much linguistic as cultural. The Kutchin had an unusual social organization, which divided each band or tribe into three exogamous castes or subgroups but recognized no ranks or heritable statuses. Men became chiefs through demonstration of leadership or prowess. The Kutchin were also noted for being warlike and merciless in the killing of enemy men, women, and children; slaves were never taken. Men were warriors, fishers, and hunters of caribou, moose, and other game; women were obliged to do all the day-to-day chores and portage and were excluded from most decision making. The aged and others unable to help themselves were customarily put to death. The Kutchin's most influential neighbours were the Eskimo, with whom they traded and fought and from whom they borrowed such cultural traits as tailored caribou-skin clothing (most conspicuously, the Eskimo hood and mittens), various hunting weapons, and the sled. They also shared many customs, however, with Indians south and eastpainting their faces and hair, wearing feathers as headdress, and decorating their clothing with fringes and beads. Their houses were domed huts of poles and fir boughs, banked with snow in winter and ventilated by a smoke hole at the top. Little is known of Kutchin religion or beliefs, but they were well known for their feasts, games (especially wrestling), singing, and dancing. Only some 2,000 Kutchin remained in the late 20th century. They have been strongly influenced by the European way of life.