The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-03
REDS ARE GAINING
Indian Of the Future, Says Miss
Reel, Will Be a self-sup-
porting Citizen.
A Marked Advance Made in Indus.
trial Training in the Schools
of Minnesota.

From The Journal Bureau Room Is, Posi-
Building, Warrington. O..
Washington Dec. 3.-The twentieth an
nual report Of Estelle Reel, superintendent
of Indian schools; has just been submitted
to the commissioner of Indian affairs and
presents briefly the condition Of the
schools. 49, .
Training for Self Support
A marked advance in industrial training
during the year is noted The course Of
study has been Of great assistance in teach
ing agriculture as a means Of self-support.
Following its directions, individual gar
dening has been made a part Of the class
room curriculum, larger areas have been
cultivated, and more and better crops
raised The central thought Of the
instruction is to fit the boy with the ability
to improve his allotment or other land
and to maintain himself and family. Train
ing for the girls is arranged in the same
practical manner. a - -
The report strongly recommends the out
Ing system and a systematic transfer of
pupils. The importance of teaching the
native Industries as a means of self-sup-
port is emphasized, and an instance noted
ct a colony of women in an Ak1ahorna tribe
receiving as high as $500 a, month for their
work. The Oneidas also have an Income
from the sale Of their lace and bead arti-
cles. The demand for native Indian work
and curios far exceeds the supply, and it is
possible for the basket weaving tribes to
maintain themselves by this industry
alone.
The necessity for more and better
equipped day schools Is urged and the
recommendation made that these be- even
tually ,supplanted by district schools at
tended by both races. In several states,
the superintendent says, many Of the In
dams are citizens, and are sending their
children to the public schools where they
are brought into closer contact with civili-
cation. The merging of the Indian and
district schools should therefore be &C.
complished speedily.
Progress ~''"s.
The enrolment has increased from 3,57s
pupils in 1877 to $3.50 in 1902. Other en-
couraging features mentioned are the i'm
provement in the practical nature of the
training given, the gradual: disappearance
- The "blanket Indian" the bettered con-
dition of the homes, the cultivation OF
FARMS and the raising of stock.
The superintendent says that with the
practical instruction the children are re.
| ceiving, the Indian of the future will be ar
independent self -supporting citizen
| The report says that Minnesota has 6
large number Of Indians who are we'll ad.
vanced toward complete self support ant
are rapidly taking on the ways Of civiliza.
! tion:' That progress is being made in thu
Indian schools of Minnesota was con.
| clusiveiy shown by the excellent exhibit
Of industrial and classroom work displayed
| at the meeting Of, the National Indiar
Teachers association at Minneapolis las
| July. The principal schools of the stat,
| are at Pipestone, Morris, White Earth ant
Vernlillion Lake. All are. well attended
and the results are encouraging, 80 ~
-. - z.- w. w Jermane