New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-17
EDUCATING" THE PUEBLos.

Mr.. Arthur G.. Parker, Of the Science
Division Of the New York State Edu.
cation Department, himself man OF
distinguished Indian descent, makes a
plea in a recent article in '"rhe South
ern Workman" for Indian education
which will conserve Indian character
and culture and develop the best quail
ties of the race instead Of trying to
make the Indian poorly veneered
white man. Why" he asks. 'should
"the Pueblo be torn from his adobe
"town house and transplanted TO A
"balf built shack OF mill timber? Why
"deculturiZe him and at the same time
rave over his beautiful native prod
"uctsf" Almost simultaneously there
comes to our notice study of the
Indians Of the Terraced Houses"
whose author, Mr.. Charles Francis
Saunders, throws much light on the
advantages which might come from
following Mr.. Parker's idea, at least
with regard TO these agricultural peo-
pie with an ancient well developed
culture.
Mr.. Saunders complains that the gov
eminent is mechanically applying 10 the
Pueblo Indians an educational policy
devised for nomadic savages. II has,
indeed, left them their lands and freed
them from taxation, which is well; but
It has failed to realize that their agri-
culture, their cooking, their clothing,
their social order and their training OF
children are exactly suited to their
needs. and produce an orderly, Clearly,
healthy and prosperous people, with
arts and crafts we'll worthy Of study
and preservation.
The Pueblo Indians were irrigation
fists long before America was discov-
cred 1t is sending Goals to Newcastle
TO teach them the rudiments Of raising
corn and beans. The women are skill
full cooks at open hearths and with
bake ovens, and are BEAUTIFULLY EN-
ployed at them In well ventilated rooms
or In the open air. The field matron
introduces a cooking stove and with
IL bad air, dyspepsia and tuberculosis.
Their loose and simple but decent
clothing is exactly fitted TO their ell
mate. The passion to civilize them
with the white mans dress, above all
his undertaking, means discomfort
and dirt In land where water for
laundry purposes is at premium. The
children are carefully and happily
trained In the arts and traditions Of
their people and make thoroughly good
citizens. Yet the government policy
seems to be to drag them as far from
home as possible to be taught the
white mans learning, which they are
stupid about, though quick In their
own way. Even If boy acquires 1t,
he Is rarely able to compete with the
whites In their field and is utterly out
of touch with his own civilization and
useless Mt home. We ourselves have
seen Eastern school graduates back
among the Pueblos, and evidently all
they were fitted for was place behind
counter selling curiosities to tourists.
Mr.. Saunders comments feelingly on
the pathetic fate Of many Of these
Young men and women whom he OBJ
served.
Mr.. Saunders does not advocate hold
ing back Indians who want the white
mans education. And he fully con-
cedes the value of work which the gov
eminent might do In day schools and
through field agents In developing the
Pueblo peoples along the lines OF their
own primitive culture. His protest is
against trying to turn them into some
thing different and against our passion
for making all peoples over In our own
image. And we think he Is right.
These people are far along in a civil
cation developed by themselves. There
is no reason why they should not re-