New-York tribune., 1901-04-08
ARTS NOT TO BE LOST.
INDIAN INDUSTRIES TO BE TAUGHT IN
RESERVATION SCHOOLS MRS,
WHEELER ON NATIVE
CRAFTS.

Concerted efforts are being made 10 revive the
aboriginal handicrafts OF the American Indians.
The government at last awake TO their value is
trying to introduce them into the Indian schoois
already organized, and a movement is on foot TO
get an appropriation for the establishment OF IN
dustrial schools which shall teach the native in
dustries. Women's clubs too, in various parts or
the country are taking interest in the effort
and the Woman's National Indian Association
with branches in every State of the Union. is
adding its endeavors to the furtherng of the
project Already certain tribes supplying moe
casins and golf belts in beadwork for the market.
and basket making has been added to the course of
instruction in certain Indian schools.
Regarding the subject Mrs Candace Wheeler.
who has had wide influence in the spread or
domestic industries in various parts of the land
said Tribune reporter yesterday: 1T is my De-
lief that this is going be a great movement. In
my opinion attempt should be made to engralt
European industries upon the American Indians
The development of their own crafts will be help
ful from ethical well as from an artstlc
standpoint. The government should, however,
supervise the task. If the trader is allowed to
manage affairs the result will be that the best
things will not be taught and the Indian. receiv-
ing insufficient remuneration. will do poor work
and he ultimately discouraged. 1t is most I'M
pOrtant that the Indian women. the aged squaws
who know how do the oldtime work, be the
teachers among the young people of their own
tribes. An effort is being made now in all the
reservation schools TO accomplish this.
MANY of their crafts capable of adaptation
10 modern uses. Beadwork for ecclesiastical pur-
poses for instance, is especially appropriate. and
would have all the value of a flexible mosaic. This
craft which would seem to be dependent upon
civilized manufacture, appears to have been OF
aboriginal origin. the beads formerly having been
made of shells. I have recently seen piece OF
beadwork OF this kind.
"Of all the Indian Industries the Qu!llwork is
perhaps the most interesting. The Indians are
the only people have found q source Of profit in
the porcupine which is generally considered use
less animal The wonderful quality Of its quilts
however was recognized by the native worker. and
they plucked split and dyed. and used 10
embroider buckskin and birch bark.
NO early textiles have come down 10 us with the
wonderful qualities of the waterproof NaNaJoe
blankets. Originally the wool pulled, not spun
and woven in a rude loom made OF three pFiI4SHtS
stuck into the ground. g
ming and ornamentation Of hides are entirely diI-
ferent from all other methods. ,,,
Instead OF sending to Canada for CEDAR SheliS,
the Indian. with his emarkable instinct Tor canoe
building could be employed in their manufacture 10
the advantage of the white man. For instance,
particularly skilful in this work. during Il
trip there l some of them one, eighty feet
OF red cedar. In lines 1t was as periect as an ar.
Etruscan vase, and so beautiful that II almost
seemed il it should be under glass 1t vas
decorated with design In black ana req whlcl
was distinctly Egyptan. 9esiocS these, there are;
of course the baskets. tie most prominent OF all
Industrial Indian arts, and the potter% ana hotA
are OF commercial val"e and adaptable TO modern
Mrs Wheeler believes that in encouraging the
Indian 10 take up his native crafts some return
may be made 10 him for past injustice, and that
upon it, without becoming a dead Indian, he may
that YOU have made labor agreeable any ono
you have raised the human being spiritually