The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-19

pies Societies for Jan. u, home Mis-
| sions: The Progress of the Indian
| lisa. 43:16-21.
| BY WILLIAM t. ELLIS.
Wards of the Nation" the term ire
quently applied to the American In
dams, describes tersely their somewhat
anomalous position within the United
| States. Lords of the soil when the first
| white man came to America, they are
now an almost extinct race, living on
| suffrage on land granted them by the
government, their own land having
been usurped by the white men, The
government of the United States,
aroused to a sense of the injustice thus
done to the Indian. set apart reserva-
tions in different sections of the coun-
try where he might live. Thus the scat
tered tribes are today gathered togeth-
er; they are gradually adopting the
habits of civilized life, and the once
savage Indian, feared by isolated set
tiers, is fast becoming thing of the
past.
1.-The progress of the Indian" has
been through civilization and Christian
ity to citizenship. For many years 1t
has been the practice of the government
to make treaties with the Indians for
the extinction of their rights to the
lands specially set apart for them. The
most important and the largest of these
reservations is the Indian Territory
which was created in 1884 Within the
limits of this reservation the Indian is
protected both as to his person and his
property, and all offenses committed
within the reservat ton are punished by
the government.
Recognizing the responsibility of the
government for these wards of the ma
ton congress passed an act in 1887 pro-
viding that Indians living on lands al
lotted to them should be considered as
citizens of the United States. The i'm
mediate effect of this act was to con-
fer citizenship upon more than 10000
Indians. Every year from one thousand
to two thousand Indians signify their
desire to become citizens. At the pres
ent time it is estimated that there are
more than 10000 Indian voters in the
United States.
In addition to the provision made by
the government in securing homes for
the Indian he is also being educated In
government schools. more than 100
boarding schools exclusively for the In
dams having been established in diff
ferent sections of the reservations.
For a number of years the govern
ment has taken an active interest IN
the welfare of the Indian. He has been
located upon reservations, fed and
clothed; houses have been built for him;
he has been provided with teams, wa
CONS, tools and all the necessary imple-
ments for cuItivating the fields; the
children have been taught and cared
for in government schools at great ex-
pense. Yet today, after the lapse or
years, his condition remains practically
unchanged. He is still dependent upon
the government for existence, little, If
any, nearer the goal of independence
than he was 80 years ago.
Where the work of the government
school ends there the mission school
takes up the education of the Indian,
r-e,1i
counteracting the Unborn
superstition and ignorance with the
ideals of Christianity. To the Indian,
born a savage, and raised in an atmos-
phere of superstition, an utterly selfish
being with no conception of home life,
the change of customs dress and man
ner of gaining a living does not change
the man. To effect this inward regen-
Grafton is the aim and purpose of the
Christian schools, the largest of which
is at Santee, Neb.
During the administration of Presi- |
dent Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt was
commissioned to inspect all the Indian
agencies. Referring in after years to
this experience he said that he had not
Travelled far over the reservations be-
fore he became convinced that the
greatest of all forces for uplifting the
Indian and transforming him into
Christian citizen was the missionary.
Among the Dakota or Sioux Indians
there are about $500 members of the |
Presbyterian and Congregational
churches scattered over the great |
Northwest.
Industrial work among the Indians is
proving one of the most helpful agencies |
in his transformation. Simple and prac- |
teal knowledge which they may use in |
their own homes is taught in the mis-
sion schools as well as are many of
the trades.
The Dakota Christian Indians have |
for a number of years supported a ma
tive missionary among the Grow In |
dfans, their old-time enemies.
y y
1t is the influence of Christian mis- |
sion and Christian ducation that is |
changing the Indian ideals of life from |
those of rowing savages and pauper de-
pendents to a willing effort for self |