Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-01-11
COMMUNICATIONS

A summary of the Indian question
regarding the condition of the Sioux
Indians living upon the Standing Rock
reservation.
In the newspapers of late there has
beer much ado apropcs the condi-
ton Of Poor Lo the Sioux. It was
stated that he is starving.
Special Agent Kneale, who is TEN
porarily in charge Of the reservation
because no one can be found who is
willing to take the permanently, has
been working 70 alleviate the suffer
ings of the Indian, and with the saunc
ton OF the Indian office at Washing
ton has made several payments since
December ]. He has $4,000 avail
able for each month until spring and
THIS is being paid out for labor. He
has instructed his farmers in charge
Of outlying districts to apportion this
money among the Indians where it
Will do the most good SO that all who
are in needy circumstances may OBJ
tain enough to keep the wolf from
the door during the winter.
The writer has just returned from
a trip over the southern and western
part OF the reservation and by in.
curry has attempted to gain some re.
liable information regarding the con.
dltlon OF the Indians. The replies to
my questions were characteristic of
the Indian. Some contend that star
walton exists while others think it
Toes not. l may say that starvation
is a relative term when applied TO
describe conditions here. Some of
us demand more than others rs the
actual necessities of life. Twas told
that some of the Indians are living
upon stewed wild rose barries and
j~ackrabbit soup. This does not con-
stitute actual starvation for ose-bush
berries and jackrabbit meat make
fine eating when you have nothing
else IN the house. 1t all depends.
There is a great problem to be
worked out in bringing the Indian to
a point of civilization whereby he
Will be competent to make his own
living. Many theories have been adj
vanced, many plans made and foisted
upon the Indian, but nothing practi.
cal and constructive has been done
since the opening of the reservation
to the Entertainments of the white.
men. And as too many cooks spolt
the broth, SC has too many heads been
at work upon this proposition. each
IN opposition to the ideas of the 9th
ers.
The Indian by nature is still a
child and his only thought is for the
needs OF today, leaving the future
to take care of itself. This tendency
toward improvidence coupled with the
CROP failure and the, until now. i'm
practical handling of Indian affairs in
general have brought about the In
dams present state of poverty. But.
he has not cried out for assistance.
and If it was not for his whiteQfriends
tho world at large wOvfd. never know
whether he was rolling in wealth, or
dying Of starvation. The publicity
given the question by the newspap-
ers has done a world of good, for now
there is a determined effor:, being
Eut forth by government officials and
all who are interested in the welfare
OF the Indian to work out5a plan
which will speedily put these Door
victims Of The wlitcman's ciyiliza.
ton upon a self-sustaining basis.
The Indian department is affording
relief, and as the wind is temperate
TO the suoru lamb, so will this fine
open winter make it easier for Mr..
indian to keep the wolf from tile door
until the summer season rolls around.
And he may learn a lesson from this
experience and better apply himself
TO the pursuit of the necessities of
life when the opportunitys comes with
another growing season. Let US hope
sc.