Red Lake news. [volume] (Red Lake, Minn.) 1912-1921, 1918-02-01
However, as intimated in my
present emergency.

present emergency. However, as intimated in my
letter May II, 1917, the opportunity is at hand
in this situation for great and permanent I'M
petus to Indian progress which will set the race
ahead many years along industrial lines, if the
high standard Of activity and accomplishment es-
tablished this year is maintained. This Will ma
terially hasten the final solution of the Indian
problem, in keeping with the new declaration of
policy in Indian affairs, for the obvious reason that
the Indians gradually achieve selfsupport ana pc
come Independent by means of their Increased IN
dustria activity and the better business judgment
employed in handling and dsposing Of their sur
plus products.
Reports thus far received show that the Indians
on 73 reservations are cutivatng this season 472,-
1856 acres of land, compared with 35S,796 acres
last year, which represents an increase OF 1850
acres or 31.6 per cent. Practically every reserva-
ton showed an increase, the highest being 100 per
cent.
This result shows hitherto untapped supplies of
energy and capacity, indicative of the possibilities
of the race and its partial readiness, at least for
the responsibilities Of modern civilization. These
need only to be fully developed by the gradual
processes of education and industrial activity, to
accomplish the final solution of the Indian prob
lem. We may now say with certainty, as demon
srated in this campaign that the Indian is an as
set and not liability
Many other topics connected with the years &C
complshments discussed in the report, all OF
which should command the thoughtful considera-
ton of every person interested in Indian wefare
but to the concluding passages, in which the en-
tire subject is made to pass before you in rapid re-
yiew especial attention is called:
The recent material advancement Of the Indian
has been remarkable and has kept pace with the
vigorous policy Of giving him help toward self
support leading to final dissolution OF the ties Oh
paternalism. In 1911 the Indians cultivated $685.
OPS acres and last year 67S,529 acres; in 1911
they raised crops valued at $1,951 OOO sold stock
valued 5000 900, realized from native Industries,
such as basket making, blanket weaving, etc,
S847,556; and last year they raised crops valued
at S. 293 719 sold $4,5S3,0S3 worth of stock, and
increased the value of their native wares to ST.
2O6,826 The Indian wage earners for private in
divduals in 1911 were 3,2O4, and last year the
number thus engaged increased to $500, While
the value of all live stock owned by Indians has
risen from $17,9712O9, in 1911, to $28,82449S
last year.
The Indian is discovering himself. He is com
ing to realization of his own possibilities; put
ting the past behind him and looking to the flu
ture; beginning to understand and appreciate the
accomplishments resulting from industry; to see
the profit in individual effort and comprehend the
ultimate difference between cultivated and I'M
cultivated field; the fact that it requires no more
labor or expense to raise a well bred, profitable
animal than it does to produce long-horn steer,
an inbred sheen or an old-time Indian pony.
Vital statistics for the same period are not
available, but the strenuous efforts being made Tor
a betterment of the purely human side of the In
dams is illustrated in the fact that 42,10O fam
lies or al least $1,000 Indians, have forsaken the
tepee and live in houses built largely in sanitary
manner
Evidences of material and humanitarian ad-
vancement are everywhere apparent. lndustrlally
and socially the Indians making unparalleled
strides towards self-support and civilization L.
have discovered that with sympathetic co-opera-
ton and intelligent encouragement their response
is almost universal.
mol, oratifiel with the