Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-29
THE oHIpPsWAs OF MIsNEsorA

as to the fitness of applicants for Office.
THE OHIPPEWAS OF MINNESOTA,
A quotation elsewhere from the annual re-
port of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs
does not appear to exaggerate the progress
of the Chippewas of White Earth and Red
Lake. They are, indeed, making such prog
ress as would already justify preparations for
releasing them from the paternal system of
government as embodied in the Indian
Bureau, by teaching them in practical way
self dependence and self government. The
implied recommendation of the Commits
sioner for removal of the Chippewas of
Leech Lake, White Oak Point, Mile Laos
and Snake River to the White Earth are
open to several objections. Surprising the
Indians to be willing to remove from the
localities to which they are peculiarly at
tached, q considerable sum of money, more
than the government owes them, or will pay
them for their title to their present locations,
will be needed to establish
them as cultivators of the soil and
raisers of stock at White Earth. At best it
would take years to make them self-sup-
porting and, judging from the past conduct
of Indian affairs, the expenditure of the
money would not be SO satisfactory to Con-
gress as to induce it to give other than
grudgingly. And, although the poverty of
the Leech Lake and White Oak Point In
dams may serve to break their naturally
strong attachment to locality, the Mile Laos
and Snake River bands have not exhibited
any likelihood of being starved out. They
are, as matter of fact, more nearly self sup
porting than are the White Earth bands,
although they are not making such COM
mendable improvements. The Mile Laos
bands are, by treaty, confirmed in possession
of their lands during good behavior. They
have not forfeited that title of occupancy
and their understanding of the treaty, as it
was explained to them by the representatives
of the government who made the treaty,
is that it does not weaken
but recognizes and . confirms their
Ownership Of the reservation. They have
protected against every trespass upon their
territory end have persistently sought the
aid of State and national officials and all
men of influence they could reach, for pro-
tecting them in possession of their reserve
and its privileges. The Snake River bands
hold part of the lands they occupy by pur-
chase from the government, and have no
disposition to sell or abandon them. .sssl @
Doubtless it would be better for these In
dams, agreeable to their present neighbors.
and delightful to the lumber monopolists
who are eager to secure possession of the
pine lands included in their reservations, if
they were removed to White Earth where
they would be brought into closer contact
with the good Influences of churches, schools
and organized industry. And unless it be
found possible to modify the plans of the
Indian Bureau, or the Indian system, so as
to provide for the Indians in
scattered small communities, it will
doubtless in time be thought
necessary to force these Indians to abandon
the homes they prefer and go to White Earth.
To that those who hope the most from In
dian civilization would have this final objec.
tion-that the collection of the Indians in
large isolated communities will serve to pro-
long if not perpetrate the system of tutelage
and dependence, which, however much it may
seem to improve the homes, clothes and daily
habits of the governments wards, does not
and cannot qualify them for self-support.
self government and the duties of citizenship.
Until that is the aim of the Indian system
and more practical methods for bringing it
about are inaugurated-s long as the system
seeing to be perpetuating itself, its officials,
its red tape, and its expenditures of tax pay
ers' money-so long will the Recommendations
of the Indian Commissioner be met with OBJ
jections, or, worse, Indifference.