Sydney Prior Hall's derogatory characterization of these Indians as "ugly customers" shows little sensitivity to the disastrous effects that the changeover in the Prairie economy was having on Aboriginal cultures. Moreover, Hall's comment suggests that he failed to grasp his own role in the process. As an active participant and promoter of the Governor General's tour, Hall's journalistic skills were being harnessed by the Canadian state to accelerate the changeover and further marginalise First Nations from the new society.