The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-18

None but the older braves cling to the GUS
toms that were general among their race
within their own memory, and even thess
nave come to assume an Indifferent attitude
towards the changes that affecting their
children. They do not retard the progress
of civilization, these old braves, except in go
far as they themselves decline to take on new
habits Of life. Could it be expected by any
reasonable person? They are old, many Of
them infirm and almost helpless. In their old
age is 1t strange that they should cling
fondly to those things that were SO dear
to them In their earlier life? Could it be ex-
pected that white man, arriving at an adj
vanced age, would be willing to submit to
revolutions in his habits of dress and Of
person? l think not.
Older Heads Dominate.
The American Indian, peaceful and submis.
slVe as he appears now, still has fire in his
veins, and an attempt at the strict enforce-
ment of the order will mean revolution.
DO not say this threateningly, but it is my
conviction, knowing the red man as do
nave said that there are, comparatively
speaking, only few of the old stock, but
that does not mean that they will make tho
opposition single handed The younger gen.
erations, although they do not wear the
blanket and paint and wear their hair long,
are in hearty accord with the sentiment Of
| their fathers. One of the first things taught
| an Indian child is respect and love for his
parents, and his duty towards them. They
will not see their fathers and mothers abused
without resenting it. Perhaps you don't re-
member the massacre in Minnesota in 1863.
Well short hair and coats and trousers did
not cause the young reds to forget and desert
| their ancestors. All along the Mississippi
were scattered cabins of Indians who had
abandoned the nomadic and wild life, and
were settled on farms which they titled as
did their white neighbors. But when the
war broke out did they file with the whites
] or We're they Indifferent? No, they joined
the ranks Of the Indians, put on paint and
| feathers and fought with their fathers.
| know it will be the same now If agents try
to enforce the new order. In that event the
civilization of the Indians, which is now
going on slowly but steadily and effectively,
will receive big setback
| Bottineau's uncle, Charles Bottineau, a
| tall, gaunt mixed blood, man of few
words but all the other characteristics of
| civilized American, who was with his
| nephew at the interview, nodded his as
sent to the others views. Then in reply
to question he replied very pointedly:
'There'll be hell to pay"
| 'Those are my sentiments more COM
| cisely put" said Mr.. Bottineau, laughs
| ingly.
| The Indians Affected,
Minnesota Indians who wear long hair
and paint are probably in the minority.
At White Earth long hair is the excep-
| ton and paint is used only on ceremonial
! occasions, and then only by comparatively
few. The Pillager band of Chippewas at
| Leech Lake contains many long-haired
braves, and the use of paint is more gem
eral. The Pillagers also preserve the
aboriginal dress to a greater, extent than
any other Minnesota Indians. Along the
north shore of Lake Superior there are
| small, scattered bands of Chippewas who.
from being surrounded by the whites,
| have dropped practically all external
! marks of the race.
| In the Dakotas and Montana, however,
| the Sioux, Crees and Blackfoot Indians
generally renew their paint each morning
with as much care as white society b,n
administers complexion cream. These
| western Indians also, being in larger
bands and less in contact with civilization.
are extremely tenacious Of their customs,
and 1t will be difficult to enforce any or
| der against forms Of dress and personal
| adornment.