The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-01-16

dian and other races; and, thirdly, If
the Indians are taught through expert. |
ence how to handle their own money
and their own affairs, by having CIV
en- to them an opportunity to do so
themselves. they will benefit the CON-
munities in which they live and also
benefit the associates that surround
them.
The merchants, traders, farmers and
bankers all should be interested in
seeing to the development of the In
dians in their vicinity, or those who
live near them, for the good of the
community, and for the improvement
it will bring to the country, as we'll as
the surrounding neighborhood. The
officials of the county. State, and Fed
eral Government should be much
interested in uplifting and urging the
better development of the Indian, and
in seeing that they get just treatment
and that the obligations of the Gov
eminent are carried out with them and
that there should be a. feeling Of con-
fidence and friendship between them
and their associates,
| The churches and philanthropical So
cieties should be interested in the
movement and enterprise of the In
dams. and should encourage and assist
them in every possible way.
| On reviewing the history of the
| United States, we find that the In
dams assisted this Government in ev-
cry struggle they ever had from the
Revolutionary War to the present time
In the colonial days we find that they
this country, and that in most every
instance where hostility was known be-
tween the races the first outrage was
committed on the Indians, instead Of
being committed by the Indians ON the
whites. 1t is a wonder that an alb
original people, the original owners of
the soil. should not more deeply feel
the outrages committed upon them
that the invaders of their territory
should feel Or think they had right
to a grievance against the Indians.
In few generations the Indians have
been forced to change their mode of
living, their mode of industry, their oc-
cupation, and their habits, and little
encouragement has been given to them
to adopt the new mode OF civilization
and the new occupations Of life which
were submitted to them, but on the
contrary they have been discouraged
and told that they were fitted not
for those occupations and that some
one else, at their expense, must use
their means, their lands and privileges
and speak and do for them Is it not
time to bring about a change? Is II
not time for them to get the encour
thinking people? Is it any won
der that the following plankS wer
. adopted in the Brotherhood Of Nortl
American Indians?
! Declaration Of Indian Policy by III,
Brotherhood Of North American
indiana
The Brotherhood of North American
Indians favors and advocates
l. The right to have Indian dele
gates on the floor of the Congress o
the United States, said delegates t
be Indians by blood and to be chosel
exclusively by recognized Indian triba
vote, one delegate for each $4,000 In
dian population, the delegates to hav
the same powers and compensation
as delegates from the Territories nov
have.
2. The right to ratify or reject b
vote Of the tribe or tribes affected, a
ter 60 days notice. any legislation b
the Congress of the United States al
fecting or Heating to the sale, allo
ment. or other disposition of India
land, in all cases where there has nc
been an agreement with the Indian
sanctiCning the disposition of tn
same.
3. Liberal appropriations for the II
I dian Service in accordance with tn
progressive eeds and requirements
the Indians.
4. An advisory board of Indians fl
each Indian school or agency, consis
ing of three or more members, to
chosen by tribe or tribes Of Indians r
presented, whose judgment In matte
of Indian policy shall have equal we!e
with the recommendations Of the 8
perintendent or agent in all matte
affecting the Indian tribe or trib'
under the jurisdiction Of the superb
tendency or agency.
M 5. Greater industrial assistance al
| development in all agricultural col
| munities.
s. Greater cooperation between t
Federal Government and State &c
| ernments in matters of education Of