Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-02-04

cause we dislike them. Inc people
of Bonners Ferry, their nearest
neighbors, have invariably treated
them kindly and have tried to en-
courage them to live like civilized
people. All this has been to little
purpose. These Indians, more than
any other tribe l ever knew, need the
systematic care and tutelage prac-
ticed on the regular government res
ervations. 1t is a great mistake to
leave them isolated and neglected.
/ have known the Kootenai Indians
for nearly quarter of a century
Much of that time l have practically
been one of their next door neigh
bors. / am perfectly familiar with
their tribal, their home and indus
trial traits. The progress they have
made during these years is painfully
insignificant and that little has been
forced upon them by outside pres
sure. They adhere very generally
to the blanket and moccasin, their do
mestic habits are the same, being
crude and disgusting, and many of
them in spite of the faithful work
of the Catholic priests, are still in
fluenced by gross and retrograding
superstitions. They devour, without
the slightest sense of shame, the
refuse from our kitchens and slaugh-
terhouses. No discarded garment is
too ragged or soiled for them. They
lack all discernment or appreciation
of cleanliness. This is true of their
persons and immediate surroundings.
Without the educational and restrain
ing influences to be found on the
government reservations their COM
munity and private life is fearfully
unsanitary and naturally dangerous
to those amongst whom their habits
and pursuits daily lead them. For
years the school teacher and priest
have labored, internationally at least,
with them but have accomplished
very little good.
There are, of course, rare exceo-
tons to be met with amongst the
Kootenais to this general character
ization. These exceptions, however,
are altogether 100 few to affect the
standing and standards of the tribe.
Some years ago the rich valley
lands of which these Indians took
possession when they entered this
country from Canada were allotted
in severalty, each Indian of the tribe
infants and adults alike, receiving
a generous donation. it was thought
this would induce spirit of indie
pendence and stimulate the owners
to plant and gather crops. Time has
proved this expectation to have beer
a mere dream. In fact, there are in
Vulnerable instances of these allot-
tees refusing to plant or SOW, but
failing to cut even the crops OF fine
wild hay growing on their allotments
This very crop at all times com.
mands excellent prices in our loea
markets and is an essential feed fol
their own stock There is no bet
ter land in the northwest than thes,
Indian allotments. Under the man
agement and cultivation of a slxillet
and Industrious people these farms
would support a large number o.
families and be a most valuable as
set to the country. The results hav,
proved beyond all question that i
was a grievous mistake, injurious t.
the Indians and a setback to tn,
district, to entrust these Indians will
the use and ownership of this ricl
land. They are a forest tribe APP
parently with no native, inherited O
inherent leaning to agrarian pursuits
If they are ever to succeed as farm
ers they must be subjected to tn
intelligent training and constan
guidance of an instructor. They d
not take to farm life naturally. Moth
ing inspires them to activity o
endurance comparable with hunting
No authoritative or enlightened eff
fort ever has been made to wea
them from their nomadic life to in
still in them love for agricultur,
While they reside in the Kootens
D Valley this form of education
wholly impracticable. Just so long a
they are in the Kootenai Valley the
! will be hunters and fishermen il
T stead of farmers and craftsmen; the
will look for bodily sustenance to tn
6 refuse from the white mans kitche
rather than to the produce of the
own farms.
e Like most other Indians in a viii
: state of existence the Kootenais al
;. hopelessly addicted to gambling. FL