The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-04-29
INDIAN

INDIAN HANDIcRAFTs.
Minneapolis Journal: 1.-THE Red
Mans Present Needs" is the title Of
an article in the April North Ameri.
can Review by Hamlin Garland, in
which the writer, drawing upon his
own extended experience and obser-
walton among the Indians obtained
during his study OF western life Tor
his book and magazine work, offers
some criticisms upon the Indian pei.
icy of the government and makes
some suggestions that are worthy of
consideration.
In the first place MI. Garland calls
attention to the widely differing con
ditions under which the Indians Of
the various reservations live and the
consequent unwisdom Of trying to APP
ply the same rules of treatment Of tn 2
red men to all reservations. Policies
which prove wise and profitable at
one post or reservation might prove
very unwise and Improbable at an
other owing to the difference in dis
position Of the Indians themseles, the
character of the soil, and other re-
sources of the reservations, the eli.
mate and the degree Of proximity to
white settlements.
Mr.. Garland not only offers criti-
cisms but makes suggestions. In the
first place he would depart from the
allotment in severalty plan far
enough to plant groups of each tribe
on the watercourses Of it's reserva-
ton in settlements of four or five
families so that the Indian might en-
JOY that which is indispensable to
his happiness and contentment-the
society of his fellows. He would have
more caro- taken by the government
in the matter Of providing farmers
for education in agriculture and stock
raising. He would have q matron as
well as o farmer that the Indian wo.
man might be taught at least the
rudiments Of successful housekeeping.
He would have schools established in
the farming districts and the children
collected there rather than taken OF
the reservation. He would have the
missionaries exercise a little more
common sense with regard to the
habits and customs Of the Indians,
and exhibit a little more liberality
with respect to their amusements.
M1reover, the Indian whenever he
takes his allotment should hence
forth be regarded as a citizen free to
come and go al he pleases the same
as his white neighbor. This would
remove the restrictions with regard
to the staying always on the reserva
ton. Finally he would not abolish
the reservation and government aid
until the Indian has become more
capable and s~elf-reliant than he is to-
day.
But, perhaps, the most interesting
and valuable suggestion offered by
Mr.. Garland, and the n to which
we wish to call particular attention,
is that wherever a tribe has a peculiar
aptitude for an art, as for instance,
canoe building, blanket making. bask-
ct making or pottery making, they
should be encouraged to rescue per-
fishing forms and symbals and aided
to develop new processes and meth
DDS built upon the old. The Jicari'..h
Apaches, for example, are fine basket
makers. These articles are in greet
demand, but no effort is made to n
courage the industry or to provide q
suitable outlet for the product.
Spectators in these goods drive
sharp bargains with the Indians for
their baskets. blankets, pottery and
curios Of various kinds, obtaining
them at ridiculously low prices and
retailing them to fanciers Of these
goods at very high prices. These In
dustries properly managed. might be