OCR Text |
Show in those sections of Oklahoma where cotton can he produced experi-ments in this direction have been undertaken. At a great many schools located in the so-called "arid " West irrigation farming has been suc. cessfnlly taught by precept and example. In fact, the varied charm teristics of the different Indian tribes and the widely separated areas they occupy render the work of industrial training complex, but in the great majority of cases instruction has been satisfactory. GOVERNMENT DAY SCHOOLS. The Government day school, presided over bye faithful, patient man and wife, as teacher and housekeeper, provide a method of instruction for Indian boys and girls of inoalcnlable benefit to the system. These schools bring a portion of the LL~hi te.~naonivlill ieation to the home of the Indian. His children are in daily oontact with the old traditions anci the new ideas of the school. As a d e , industrial training on s small scale is adopted, and the boys are taught gardening, the use of simple tools, and other elements of industry with which they should become familiar as a means of earning their livelihood in the future. The girls assist the housekeeper in the preparation of a simple noon-day luncheon, and receive from her instruction in the valuable arts of domestic economy. She is taught in a simple way the adornment of the home and the purity of the home life. Unconsciously the little one bears with her back to the rude tepee or hut some small portion of the civilization with which she is in contact and will impart some of it to the older members of the family. This day-school system is a vigorous element in the uplifting of the Indian. It has many advocates amoug those interested in Indian edu-cation and deserves a fostering care. There are 142 day schools, with an enrollment of 4,847 pupils, and an average attendance of 3,286. The following table gives the location and capacity of the day schools: TABLE 5.-Zocalio#~ and capacity of Goummmt day achools Jvna SO, 1598. Looation. Laoation. / ~apaoity. Michigan: Baram.. .......................... SO BayMills ......................... 60 Icinnesote: 60 Birch Cwly _ .................... White Eart 30 Gull Lake .................... 40 Xontsna: 40 TongoeRivsr ..................... 40 Nebraska: Sautee- 80 Ponm.. ....................... 40 Nevada: 30 WalkerRiver ..................... 30 New Mexico: 40 Puabl* am A D O ~ B.. ...................... 60 Cocbite ....................... 30 Isle&. ........................ 30 Jemea ........................ |