OCR Text |
Show Section 5. Schools. Regarding the school situation upon the reservation, I would advise that all the county school, with the exception of the school in Ignacio, have received the Indian children Mthout any objections and their associations with the ' white children attending have been pleasant. The parents cooperating for the benefit of these Utes. In the case at Ignacio, it seems that some objection was raised to the Indian children attending and after twelve had enrolled the Board of Education dismissed them against my wishes and advice. I did not believe it to the best interests of all to go into the matter at that time with a view to compelling the trustees to except these Indian children, - he excuse was made to me that the school lacked sufficient seating capacity, and that if I would defer any definite action that the school board expected enlarging their present plant and at that time would permit Indians to attend. This may come about and the difficulty adjusted. If not, I believe that definite steps should be taken in order to insure to these Utes the privilege of the right to at tent this school There is no legitimate reason given me for excluding them. It is merely to assure prejudice of a few reactionary characters in the town, in the other schools throughout the county I have received cordial support and the results obtained have been very encouraging. The teachers and general community of each district hav^ always spoke in encouraging \ vays regarding their advancement, conduct and general appreciation of the school. In the boarding school and the day school the course of study-adapted for Indian schools is being followed. I believe, however, |