The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-11-25
The National Indian Association and its Dis
tinctive Work.

IL is only tildI we are d DuSy people,
absorbed in doing the business of the
world, or every one interested in philan-
thropic work would be familiar with the
National Indian Association. The best
people, heartily cooperative in good
works may be so full of zeal in the many
features of local need that there is no
time to study what is being done by a
national organization wholly devoted to
the uplifting of an unfortunate race.
This may be said of any progressive
community without casting any refec-
ton or suggesting comparison.
The age is busy one. Earnest people
are already absorbed in some practical
form of the altruistic idea.
While the activities are carried on
daily the normal attitude is growth in
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES may be de-
laved, it cannot be surpressed-hence it
is that the National Indian Association
was the outcome or growth of national
need.
The channels of aid provided by the
government already burdened with
great problems were inadequate the
work done in the mission fields was only
the least part waiting to be done.
Twenty-three years ago the National
Indian Association was organized with
headquarters in Philadelphia.
Its purpose: To uplift and educate
the native tribes of the Red race.
The field: To be unlimited, and the
character of the undertaking to be inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL.
Here is one fact that stood forth at
that time; sixty tribes within our
national limits had never heard the
gospel or had the advantage of schools.
What has been done by the Associa-
ton? Forty-seven tribes and remnants
tribes have been reached Fifty
buildings have been erected, missions
and schools have gone hand in hand.
As rapidly as work become strong and
growing it was turned over to the care
of some UNCONVENTIONAL church or
society.
The policy of planting an educational
work strictly christian and then giving
the entire "holding" to some denomina-
tional body has proved eminently sue
cessful as the reports and statistics in
dictate. Nearly every state in the union
is organized auxiliary to the national
association. Massachusetts, has sup
ported work among the Apaches. Maine
has had charge of work among the
Seminoles in Florida. New Jersey, since
1892, has opened work among the Hopi
Indians, Arizona.
In 1898 aid was given to the two
thousand Prigans in Montana and two
years later was given to the Methodist
Episcopal Board of New York City.
The Massachusetts auxiliary is foster
ing the work among the Spokanes,
(Washington) at the present time.
The Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
lists, Moravians, Episcopalian, Luther
an, and Society of Friends, have accept
ed permanently the care of schools es-
tablished by the National Indian Asso-
citation.
Very interesting work. was opened in
southeast Alaska seven years ago, a
school, chapel and eight cottages were
built by the National Indian Association.
1t has now become charge of the Pres
byterian Board.
Other native tribes far north of the
Aleutian Islands havelbeen brought to
the attention of the officers OF the
National Indian Association and it is
probable that practical efforts will be
strengthened and that the native Alas