The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-08
RESERVE FOR
NATIVES Of THE
COPPER RIVER

A report from the bureau of educa.
ton for the natives Of Alaska. OF which
William T. Lopp is superintendent, for
the years 19161917, has just been is
sued, and contains much information
dealing with the progress the natives
are making Academic work IL being
taught. but not to the exclusion OF
practical training along the lines Of
hygiene, manual training. and in fact
everything that makes for progressive
American citizenship.
Arthur II. Miller. acting superin-
tendent of the Southwestern division.
calls the special attention OF the COM
missioner of education and the chief
of the Alaska division to the need of
establishing a reserve for the natives
of the Copper river. He says that in
his opinion too much emphasis can
not be placed upon the importance
and value of obtaining this reserve,
and adds:
I'VE believe the time is rapidly APP
preaching when the exploiting of
| Alaska natives will be a thing of the
past. Though there yet remains much
to be done. no one who has known
Alaska natives for considerable
number Of years doubts that advance
ment has been made among them
where schools have been established
and proper Outstanding influences
have obtained.
The plan OF centralizing the pop
, ulation would materially assist In the
administration of medical relief and
adequate supervision. The doctors
now under regular appointment can
not reach the scattered natives. The
doetors as we'll az the teachers. as
far as my knowledge extends are con-
scieBtiously performing their duties.
1t is no more than just to say that
though there are many cases of mis-
treatment and injustice done the ma
tiyes by certain class Of undesir.
ables. there are many Instances of
kindness and assistance rendered
them by a majority OF the citizens of
Alaska"
review OF Superintendent Loops
report presents the idea that the ma
tiyes are not as robust as formerly.
but they are putting the instruction
on hygiene received from their, s.Ich-
ers to valuable use: AS a conseGxence
their general health is better now than
a few years ago, when they were, pass
ing through that transitional period
tribal life and customs and had not
learned to take full advantage OF the
better part of the white mans WAYS.
Statistics regarding the reindeer
service for the fiscal years ending
June 30, 1917. give SO different herds.
numbering 9S.52S deer. This was an
increase of 20 per cent over the pre-
vious year, Notwithstanding the fact
that 1914 deer were killed for m eat
and skins. or were lost. The income
to the natives from meat and hides
sold amounted to S97.515. The ma
tives own SO per cent of the reindeer
in Alaska, the government 3 per cent
and white men and Laps own % per
cent. Reindeer fairs have been held
IN several places and tend to enlighten
and encourage the natives in the work |
The MARBLE" fly has attacked the
herds, and can be eradicated only with
difficulty. The animal Is not materi-
ally affected. but even after healing,
scars are left In the hides Wild carl
bou are also affected by this fly. Hoof |
disease has caused some loss, but can
be combated to a certain extent by
moving the herds to new feeding
grounds away from contaminated
soil