The daily progressive-miner., 1915-12-11
NATIVE
 BROTHERHOOD
 CONVENTION
Metlakathla Nouember
 22 2 to 24 1915
Eighth and Ninth Sessions

0f several resolutions
 Through thess resolutions the Al aska Native BrVtherhood formally saarksd the people of Metlakahtls and their different societies for all inst they did for the enjoyment and casuf0rs of the delegates of the con. vsntion; the Government teachers at Metlakahtla; The Daily Pro grsss Miner of ketchikan. and also Senator Chas. 4. -Sulzer and Rsaresentasivss A. c. Shoup and R- Heeknaan for their work or eshalf ef the citizenship of the natives SF Alaska at the last Ter sesari2l Legislature.
 Wrangel was chosen as the next n'ace for sha convention of 1sl6- The finance committee reported an expanse of $40 by all the dele gates. Alter ? brief discussion the hozss decided that since local fursi. lad been raised to cover at least narH af the travelling expenses the saatter coall not be further adjust aI so as 10 aqnalize the whole bur den and hy common consent is was Eass as t was
 The evening and last session of tha convention Wednesday. Nov z4. was presided owed by the Presi- dent. Mr. Peter Simpson It was a lsaHular meeting and the hall was croz-deg5 with the Metlakahtla pep nae The subjects vera on law government and religion as applied 5a the natives of Alaska II was t1at at least two of the pEhlie raan n Alaska should handle the first two subjects. but the cons. vsntfon, on account Of the pressing asssinsss on the uart of these gentle Tsen- was deprived of the privilege
 Whenever some unforeseen things happened in which the delegates V7sEa p,aeed in delemnsa. they wsuld al once and invariably call on shs secretary for 3 way out So 5a was on this occasion the secre- 7arF .as called upon to make one sr two observations on the sub 5ee- of law and government as ap- ! led 10 the natives Of Alaska
 The secretary remarked that ths natives of Alaska are very fort .rnase today to live in 2 country zEer= thera is only one law for .s-ezn and for all others. Equality aefore the law is 2 blessing; in equality. such as some of the In- 5iaus in the States have experienc- a3- s 2 curse and one to be dread ad and avoided The present ad- razced natives Of Alaska have a. zundant opportunities to take part ia the making of the laws of this northern country. The laws are z0s only proafbitfve and remedial; but they are stimulating; they areI an incentive to good progress Ignorance of the existing laws dcI nes nd ought not 10 excuse the natives from their wrong dofngs- Cur Alaska natives, be t said toI sksfr EadiE, are among the most p and Iaw-abiding races of sEe whole country.
 Mfr Mercer supplemented these remarks by saying that although Hs arg equal before the law often sinass rfe stronger. tte shrewd and men take advantage of ths weakness and ignorance of the natives. As an eumpIe of this the utter disregard by cer- sain men of the plain and just nights of the native section of Ju- reaa ard sone of the other plaoes-
 The subject of religion was again daa1s with by the secretary who said -has already the natives of Alaska are faithfully served by sons American denominations, and that t vests with the people con earned 10 be true at all times to hefE owu churches. Whenever the natives got into the habit of shifting from o1e church to another simply
  for inc sake of escaping discipline CT account of loose character and immoral egndact. it s . sign of 2 certain kind of native degradation tHas is to be much deplored.
 Some r1essages were rad on inc floor Of the convention, and they evoked very hearty applause. They were in part a follows:
 Cav. J. r. 4 Strong: q wish to aagure Fou that I an deeply touch e4 by this mark of your esteem and confidence, ard I beg to assure xou that ! saall at aII times en- eea9oE to do whatever ia possible foT the advancement Of the native reople Of A1aaka.7
 Senator chzs. f. suIzer. @To aid fn bringing about these desired naeaEures was. I can assure you, . matter Of qualification to me, and } shall always be glad to do any