The Forrest City times., 1905-06-09
INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS.
Aborgines of America Develop Much Ingen-i.y in Their Hapdi-
 work

Miss Sarah I. Porter writing in the Arrow, expresses the opinion that the American Indian has much latent ar tlstic ability and that when genera tions Of training have brought him to position Of independent competition with the nations of the world this abiI- ity will stand out as national char acteristie The writer in question calls attention to the fact that the di- rection in which his artistic ability manifested itself in the different tribes was determined by environment. The Indian simply took whatever material lay next his hand and with the crude implements of his age worked this material into something which should be first thing of daily use and then, by reason of ornamentation or perfec- ton of design. thing of beauty. Thus the Indian Of the plains-the Chey- ennes, Arapahoes. Sioux. Omahas and others-did elaborate embroidery with porcupine quills on deerskin and other hides always beautifully tanned. The mountain tribes, such as the Pi nas and the Apaches, made baskets of un- excelled beauty. The Navajos wove blankets and the Pueblos made pot. tery. while the northwestern and Alas. kan Indians expressed their artistic sense in carving upon their canoe stems and totem poles.
 Whether or not the craftsmanship of the Indians will ever assume the significance implied in this writer's opinion is perhaps question. Some need of 1t. however, will always be felt and the importance of fostering the native arts and crafts cannot be too often or too strongly emphasized. We realize this the more when we note the attempt now being made to revive the vanishing handicrafts which once fiourished among the white people of this country. In a recent bulletin of the bureau of labor. published by the department of commerce and labor. a whole chapter is devoted to the discus sion of this revival of handicrafts in America.
 In certain localities systematic ef- forts are being made by missionary or ganizations and by exchanges for
 
 beautiful mountaineers in the south. the Attakapas cottonades woven by the Arcadian colony in Louisiana and the Abnake rugs made in certain re- mote farmhouses in Maine. arts and | crafts societies are active in many of our cities While the total output Of | the articles produced by handicraft in hR al iS in as compared with the products of ma chinery the movement has neverthe- less brought to the consumer and to the public generally an increased pleasure in the things of daily house hold use and ornament. And while the movement cannot be expected ta increase to such an extent as to dimin- ish perceptibly the demand for factory products it has nevertheless broughs to many workers a new interest in life. along with means of livelihood. and has no doubt had some far-reaching effect in improving the quality and de- sign of factory-made goods.
 We may easily imagine the educated and sophisticated Indian of a few gen erations hence signing for some Of the beautiful and durable products of the handicrafts of his forefathers The schools may do something. though they probably cannot do much. to pre- serve those arts and crafts. But they may at least teach by precept a proper appreciation of the products. while such societies as the Mohonk lodge, the Indian Industries league and the 1 Sequoya circles actually promote the native industries among the people. | Any and every effort that aims to preserve and develop the latent artis- tic ability that is indigenous to Amer | ican soil is a step in the right direc- | ton.