New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-22
WORK AMONG INDIANS.
SEVENTEEN YEARS A TEACHER
IN THE SCHOOLS.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION THE GREATEST CIVIL
IzER-woRK OF THE INDIAN POLICE
RULES OF SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.

IzER-woRK OF THE INDIAN POLICE
RULES OF SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
Miss Mary S. Francis who has for seventeen years
had charge Of the Indian school known as ST. Eliza
beth's School, at Standing Rock Reserve has just
returned 10 her work, after visit TO her home at
Por; Richmond. Staten Island.
Miss Francis gives an interesting account of her
life among the tribes She says that the industrial
schools the greatest cvilizers OF the Indians
owing TO the influence which the children taught in
these schools afterward exert over their parents.
In our schools in addition to the ordinary stud
les the boys are taught farming and other means Of
earning q living while the girls are taught 10 COOK
and do general Homework. and special pains are
taken 10 instil habits of cleanliness and a proper
pride in their personal appearance.
al this has beneficial effect upon the parents
when the children return home the young people
are no longer satisfied with their former home sur
,oundings. and they induce the fathers and mothers
to conform as much as possible. TO the methods and
manners in use in the SCHOOL,
1.-The work of teaching Indian children is arduous
owing to their peculiar disposition continued Miss
Francis land for that reason considerable expert
ence is necessary TO bring about the best results 1t
IS regreitable that so few OF the young women VINO
take UP the work continue in II more than two or
three years. They start in with great enthusiasm
and work well and faithfully but after while the
lonely HOMOGENEOUS life wears upon them, and they
been opposed TO 1t from the first Remarkable ex-
ceptions the rule seven teachers who have
Just completed twenty-five years service among the
Indians, under the direction of Bishop Hare. who
has devoted so many years of his life TO the WoIk.
The Indian child the stodity of the parent. but
much OF it is assumed for the purpose OF escaping
a distasteful task AS a rule. he has no talent loF
study and is not ambitious 10 iearn and II ne can
deceive teacher into believing that he does not
understand what is taught him he will do 50. A
teacher should be careful not 10 require too much
from child, but she must be firm and unyieding
in compelling him 10 perform the task imposed as
he is quick take advantage of any weakness IN
that respect. A stubborn or dsobedent enid Is pun
ished not being permitted 10 play with MS scnoo-
mates and such punishment is usually cficacious.
Occasionally gets tired OF II all ana runs away
and then the Indian police bring him back ,
Speaking of their social customs. she sad: Inc
ru.os OF social etiquette are very strictly Observed
end Of scandalous gossip In formulating these
rules. some wise old Indian has successfully crap
ped with the mother-n-law problem in way that
would excite admira ton in civilized communities
No Indian is permitted to travel with MS motherlh-
law unless accompanied by a third person, even
though that chaperon is only young child. ana II
is serious breach OF etiquette FOR mother-iu-aw
10 talk her son-in-law. The women pull the hairs
OF their eyebrows TO make themselves attractive
and IL Is difficult for the teachers TO restrain the
grl pupils from following the example Of their
mothers in this respect The Indian Is great SICK
Ter for Justice. but IL Is difficult satisfy him at
times owing the dstrustfulness Of his nature. as
nc is inclined TO believe that every white man with
him and In view OF the past experiences OF the red
man this belief Is not surprising. An important
factor IN the improvement OF Indian home life is the
employment OF Government matrons at the various
agencies, who teach the women 10 make bread. cook
and instruct them In modern methods Of housekeep-