The Nome daily nugget., 1915-01-28

the idea of making the rein deer industry the basis for improving the condition of the natives which idea was adopted by the government and has been systematically carried out by those who have followed in the path laid out by Dr. Jackson Today there are nearly twenty thousand rein deer in the possession of the natives If seward Peninsula and many thou sands more outside of Seward Penin- sula which comes under the jursdic- tion of Superintendent Shields Under the conditions prevailing among the natives there was a tendency for the animals to deteriorate under their care and as would be expected. there would be tendency to neglect animals which required so little care and attention where the food for the animals was at hand in super abundance and required no labor in preparing, collecting or, storing. and where the animals, the years around, needed no further care than to keep the herds from scattering.
 To correct this tendency Mr Shields conceived the idea of holding a reindeer fair at Igloo and by bringing the na- tive reindeer men together, bv offer ing prizes. etc. stimulate them as well IS educate them to improve the rein deer industry which is now largely in their hands The fair was held and was so successful that the promoters we're astonished at the results and that i'm directions where most important and least expected The natives sent forty delegates from various sections where reindeer herds are established. The gathering was largely attended. many deer were on exhibition as well as everything pertaining to the deer busi- ness. The natives were enthusiastic and entered into the spirit of the fair beyond all expectation
 The various contests were exciting and stirred them to the highest pitch and blue ribbons were more highly valued than the prizes which came with them But the surprise came, when, at the close of the day the na- tives met in the large tent at night to discuss the events of the day and their bearing on the reindeer industry. These meetings were eagerly attended and the natives took part with an interest more seriously than they did the day proceedines. The contests of each day were discussed at the night session and made to convey to the natives impor- tant lessons Such subjects as selec
 ion. breeding for higher types care of the animals methods of breaking to work. butcherng and many other de tails of the business which were made subjects for discussion. The natives took an active part in their meetings and manifested an interest which was
 nothing less than astonishing to the government teachers and others who Were present The natives. through the interpreters, expressed their apprecia- ton of all that the fair had done fol ! them and one expressed the sentimen l which seemed to prevail among then when he said that the meeting made
 him feel that he was just awaking iron a "bie sleep" and another who saiC
 we came here to play and we art learning how to work"
 From all reports it seems that th'
 Igloo fair has caused an awakening
 among the natives and has laid ;
 foundation for their improvement, tn effects of which will be manifested fo many years in the improvement of tn
 reindeer herds but what is infinitel,
 more important, of the natives them
 selves which is the end sought
 Can Helen Lomen fight and sing a the same time