OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF TEE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN BFFAIRS. DEPART~ONP ~Tm I ~ o R , Omm OF COMMIS~IONOBF RI NDIAhX ~ m , WasAhgton, Septembw I, 1816. Sm: I have the honor to transmit herewith the eighty-fourth an-nual report of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the fiscal year ended June 30,1916. The progrbssive tendency of the present day is reflected in the vigorous activity of the Indian Service, dealing with the intricate complexities involved in the lives of more than 300,000 members of this race, both as to the individual and to every phase of social and ind,ustrial functions. Being thoroughly convinced that their ma-terial and industrial prosperity is more closely attached to their landed interests, the development of ,agriculture and stock raising has been given an impetus never before undertaken. Not only their own moneys but reimbursable funds made available from appropria-tions by Congress have been invested in thousands of cattle and other live stock. The Indians are being taught how to make the best use of this wonderful asset, and rapidly are realizing that from the farm and the range their material salvation must be obtained. A happy correlation of the instruction given in the schools is being made with the future environment of the boy and girl. The mere acquisition of knowledge is subordinated to the practical teaching of facts and laws which bear directly on everyday life on the farm and in the ' home. Poqrty or dependence on others saps the energies of any man. The Indian is no exception, and I have placed the greatest work of this oflice on his material advancement. As his herds increase d d his lands produce the Indian becomas better prepared to assimilate the kndwledge which comes from the study of books. Love of home and domestic happiness follow as a natural sequence. How a11 the functions of this office are coordinated for the ulti-mate end of the Indians'material and social prosperity the following brief r&um& will indicate. EDUCATION. During the last year it has been found necessary to reorganize the Carlisle School so as to improve its standards and develop the high-est type of school work. With the beginning of the next school term 7 |