Alaska sentinel., 1908-12-03

fled with the tribal life and cause him to stand aloof from active and efficient participation in it. His life thus counts for little, and the effort of the higher civilization that had been exercised for him bears little fruit.
 Thus for the happiness of the in dividual Alaskan, for the welfare of the native races, and for the sake of reward for labors per formed by representatives of civil ization, the education of the indi- vidual must be made subordinate to the advancement of the race. His education should be carried on in constant contact with his peo- pie and must prepare him for definite place in their social life. The community thus becomes the unit of effort, the individual the submit.
 8. The system of education must include all sides of native life and must observe proper coordination in the development in the various elements in that life.
 Civilization has been evolved by a fairly even progress in the differ ent elements that have composed it at it's various stages of develop. ment. It was through efficient participation in these related ele- ments that increased control over nature and self was gained and the physical, mental, moral and spirit ual life of the race elevated. The Alaska natives should pass through this process under competent direc- ton. Progress in civilization should be made to evolve from within themselves. The habits, interests, and tendencies of civil ized life with which they come in contact must be chosen or rejected by them and those which are good assimilated in their own lives and made to modify their habits and impulses in the right directions. Aid is greatly needed in this pro cess. If properly given "the short cuts" in the evolution of civiliza- tion may be taken; and, although the process must necessarily be slower than most people desire and think, yet as compared with the time it has taken for the Germanic tribes to develop from one stage of civilization to another, the ad- vancement of the native tribes of Alaska should be in the next few decades very rapid.
 At the present time the elements in the life of the Alaskan natives which need greatest attention are the industrial and the physical in relation to sanitary methods of life. The industries which nature affords and also those in which they can find employment by the white man should be developed in order that all the people may rise to higher stage of civilization through the experiences gained by working with their hands snd intellect in the every day duties Of life, h. creased command over nature will bring a greater economic return. This will enable them to purchase the conyeniences and comforts of life and will greatly promote more sanitary methods of living. Better health will in turn produce greater efficiency in industrial enterprises. With the development of these two mutually helpful elements the high ideals that have been employed by the church and the school will have a fair chance Of realization and the temptation to drive away disap- pointment and Encouragement by drink will be removed.
 The political element in the na- tive life at the present time needs recognition in the. future such de- velopment as the advancement of civilization will warrant. At the DreSent lime their pnlitital stains