When a party is on a march the women have to drag the tent, the meat, and whatever the hunter possesses, whilst he only carries his gun and medicine case.

In the evening they form the encampment, cut wood, fetch water, and prepare the supper; and then, perhaps, are not permitted to partake of the fare until the men have finished.

A successful hunter sometimes has two or three wives; whoever happens to be the favourite assumes authority over the others and has the management of the tent.

These men usually treat their wives unkindly and even with harshness; except indeed when they are about to increase the family and then they show them much indulgence.
Hearne charges the Chipewyans with the dreadful practice of abandoning, in extremity, their aged and sick people.

The only instance that came under our personal notice was attended with some palliating circumstances: An old woman arrived at Fort Chipewyan during our residence with her son, a little boy about ten years old, both of whom had been deserted by their relations and left in an encampment when much reduced by sickness: two or three days after their departure the woman gained a little strength and, with the assistance of the boy, was enabled to paddle a canoe to the fishing station of this post where they were supported for some days until they were enabled to proceed in search of some other relations who they expected would treat them with more kindness.