OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE COXMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFEAIRB. 33 ing of this large number under prevailing conditions has been worthy of commendation. That so much has been accomplished is due to the untiring zeal, sincerity, and tact of those engaged in the work. Few outside of those who have had experience in the collection of pupils upon Indian reservations can appreciate the di5culties which are presented. Many and serious obstacles are met with, the principal of which is the ignorance of the average Indian mother and father. The disposition and hereditary instincts of the old and conservative lndian can not be changed, but it is the duty of the Government to train the next generation of these people so that they may become stronger mentally, morally, and physically. Therefore, it is for this purpose that the young Indian child is taken from its home to the boarding school, where the moral influences of white civilization and culture may be thrown around it and love of the civilized home instilled in its heart, in the hope that it will bear fruit in future generations. This is the policy which induces the Government to take these children during the formative period of their lives, in order that a character may be molded which will make each boy and girl a home builder and a home maker upon those principles underlying our own civilization, prosperity, and happiness. It is a firmly fixed policy, which it is believed that succeeding generations must approve, and it is a con-dition which must be brought about regardless of the wishes of those parents who are unfortunately so blind as not to see the advantages accruing to their race. Many old Indians look upon governmental school work as hostile to them and the taking away of their children is hostages; others view it as a special mark of favor that their little ones should be permitted to attend school, and they demand payment for the favor. These con-fiicting arguments must be combatedxnd the opposition overcome. Among numbers of tribes there are peculiar ideas of death, and if anyone dies in the tepee or wicki-up, the rude shelter is destroyed by fire, or else direful calamities are believed will be their portion. Therefore, if a child passes away at a school, that school receives a "had" name among the tribes cherishing this strange belief. For this reason a rigid system of physical examination of each child before it is taken from the reservation is required to be made by the agency or other physician. But the fact is that, with all the precautions thrown around the collection of only bealthy pupils, and with all the sanitary . and hygienic arrangements and careful attention at the schools, death will occasionally invade them. This is of course taken advantage of by the ignorant parent, filled with superstition, and therefore the di5culty of obtaining his consent to the removal of the child is based 6266-3 |