New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-19
NEEDS OF THE DAKOTAS.
1t Is Difficult for indians to LiUe
Right Under Present Conditions.

"Tt seems presuunptious for me- an Irish woman.
TO speak the Indians to American women
said Miss Martha Craig at a meeting OF the New
York City Indian Association yesterday morning
in the chapel OF the Collegiate Church. 7 have
for a long time been deeply interested in compare
tive religion and ethics believe that God leaves
no people or nation without a witness, and. being
especially in 4. ested in the Indians I decided to
find out if ;Jssible. the revelation that had oeeh
given 10 a. -r- I had read many stories OF the
America .A-ians but had no clear ideas about
them ~.len. i've years ago. I started on my quest
in Canada First 1 talked with Indians in the re-
serves. but could find out nothing from them
Gradually wandered further West, and at last, at
Garden River, I found BequOginini (keeper OF
Secrets), an old old chief TO whom had been hand
ed down the traditions Of the Messiah The Ind
ians I found out. have Bible. not written
however. which treats OF the creation. fall re-
demption and life Of Christ Their Christ is called
not Hiawstha but Mitchiwaban Oliver of LighO-
Like our Christ, he came into the world WllAhs-
~ to save others. Hiawatha, Longfellow tells US
sails away the glory Of the sunset but according
to Bequogininl. the way to heaven Is eastward
over crystal sea, toward the rising sun. The way
Of going is in a white stone canoe. This canoe Is
a symbol OF che purified human body, and Is Kept
from sinking only by the soul which propeis me
boat into tho great beyond"
Miss Ronaldson. formerly recording secretary OF
the New-York City Indian Association. read paper
visit TO the Fort Berthod reserva ton in North
Dakota, among the Arickaree. Manden and eros
Ventres tribes OF Indians.
The ManGans and Gros Nent-es she described as
knowing little OF water and sanitation. The Arick-
arees are more cleaniy, she said. The water IS
all carted in barrels from the Missouri and Little
Missouri rivers. sometimes distance OF hfteen
miles so that those who do keep themselves ana
their houses decent deserve great deal or cred-L-
The houses are Of logs. rooted with mud ana grass,
and plastered inside with mud The walls are oIIer
hung with religious pictures but the T7vorte mural
decoration is posters from the county talrs--dI
pigs or horses. The marriage certificate framed
also occupies a prominent position, as II IS onIy
within a few years that such things nave DeeA
known there. -
The saddest thing shat 7 saw" said Miss. Ron
aldson was the return of Hampton and carlisle
students to their riserabl homes know or one
girl Hattie Sitting Bear. who brought home
sewing machine pictures and some pretty CONES
The little corner Of the room that she could claim
was soon fixed NJ daintily. She covered the wall
wits white linen. which she hung her niue
Bricl0acks. bur soon heavy rainstorn washed
the ---d from the roof down the white wall ana
an her WORK was destroyed. II takes almost more
thar human courage to live ones best self IN such
environment
Miss Roma fsou said IN conclusion that better
houses IRRIGATION md another. field matron, a
woman work among the Indians. were the
greatest needs Of the Dakota tribes now.
Mrs Robert Harris president OF the New ork
CITY Indian Association. presided at the meeting
Among those present --ern Mrs. Ii0-7Ce Green Mrs.
Stephen Smith. Miss Marie Ives Mrs. H 5. Gordon
Miss Sheulrv and Mrs. Z. 7. Lawrence.