The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-22
INDIAN HANDICRAFTS

1.-THE Red Mans Present Needs is the
title of an article in the April North
American Review by Hamlin Garland, in
which the writer, drawing upon his own
extended experience and observation
among the Indians obtained during his
study of western life for his book and
magazine work, offers some criticisms
upon the Indian policy of the government
and makes some suggestions that are
worthy of consideration. a.
III the first place, Mr.. Garland calls at.
tention to the widely differing conditions
under which the Indians of the various
reservations live and the consequent I'M
wisdom of trying to apply the same rules
Of treatment of the red men to all reser-
vations. Policies which prove wise and
profitable at one post or reservation
might prove very unwise and Improbable
at another owing to the difference in
disposition of the Indians themselves, the
character of the soil and other resources
Of the reservations, the climate and the
degree of proximity to white settlements.
Mr. Garland not only offers criticisms
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 its
reservation in settlements of four or five
families so that the Indian might enjoy
that which is Indispensable to- his happi
ness and contentment-the society of his
fellows. He would have more care taken
by the government in the matter of pro-
viding farmers for education in agricul-
ture and stock raising He would have a
matron as we'll as a farmer that the In
dian woman might be taught at least the
rudiments of successful housekeeping:
He would have schools established in the
farming districts and the children col
lected there rather than taken off the res
eryation. He would have the missionaries
exercise little more common sense with
regard to the habits and customs of the
Indians, and exhibit a little more lib
crafty with respect to their amusements.
Moreover, the Indian whenever he takes
his allotment should henceforth be re-
garded as a citizen free to come and &c
as he pleases the same as his white neigh
Dor This would remove the restrictions
with regard to the staying always on the
reservation. Finally, he would not
abolish the reservation and government
aid until the Indian has become more
capable and self-reliant than he is to-
day. ~.
But, perhaps, the most interesting an6
valuable suggestion offered by Mr.. Gar
land, and the one to which we wish tt
call particular attention, is that wherever
a tribe has peculiar aptitude for al
art, as for instance, canoe building
blanket making, basket making OF
pottery making, they should b.
encouraged TO rescue perishin>
y forms and symbols and aided to develop
new processes and methods built upol
the old. The Jicarilla Apaches, for ex
ample, are fine basket makers. Thes
articles are in great demand, but no effor
is made to encourage the industry or t
provide a suitable outlet for the product
Spectators in these goods drive shar
bargains with the Indians for their bas
kets, blankets, pottery and curios Of va
rious kinds, obtaining them at ridicu
lousy low prices and retailing them t
fanciers of these goods at very hig
prices These industries properly man
aged, might be made a source of grea
revenue to the Indians and render the1
more than self-supporting if the govern
ment could be induced to appreciate. an
encourage their facility in their nativ
handicrafts and provide for profitable dis
position of the goods made.
The suggestion appears to be an exceed
ingly practical and useful idea. Th
curio shops of the country, east, and ives
are stocked with baskets, blankets, po
terry and other articles manufactured d. i
the different tribes, many Of which al
much sought after for their artistic mer