The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-09-02
LOOK TO YOUR OWN PEOPLE
SAYS INDIAN GIRL WRITER
Shows Unprecedented Advancement of Indians
as Class Toward Civilization During
the Past Several Years
IS ONE OF GREATEST HELPS

! The shaping of material in a crude
state is not an easy task. 1t must &c
thru various processes before it is
ready for use.
=! The Indian is an example. The TAX
ing of a crude, undisciplined, uncul-
tured humanity and Transforming IL
into useful, self-sustaining and sell
reliant citizenship can under no con.
ditions be done within the lapse of a
few years, or a century with the CO.
operation they have had in the past
from the public. 1t takes co-opera-
tion to bring anything in harmony.
Many still hold the barriers that
their ancestors held. Today it is be-
lieved thru dissemination that the
Indians are still hostile people and
show disinclinati0n towards others
and discourtesy. Let this idea be
abolished if it clings to you. The
Indians hold no prejudice against
Ju.
These questions are many times
asked:
Are the Indians intelligent and
progressive?
Are they advancing rapidly toward
self-reliant citizenship?
Do the educated Indians make use
of their education, or do they resume
their former way of living?
Are they loyal and patriotic to
their country?
Questions Answered
The Indians are intelligent and
progressive. Since the advent Of the
white man the Indian has had a
problem to solve, that Of how to
stand on the level and deal squarely
with a race unaccustomed to their
own. They have proven their ability
to solve this problem very intelli-
gently. They have been confronted
with many Obstacles that have beset
their path, but they overcame them
courageously.
Civilization was forced upon them.
They had to grasp it and are still
clinging to it with firmsr hold than
ever before, progressing as rapidly
or more SO than any other class Of
people could do under such condi-
tions as exist and have existed.
Look back about ten years. Sec
if you can make any discrimination
in them. Yes, a great change has
taken place, but yet greater is TAX
ing place, which will in few years
to come stand them on level with
any class of people.
1t is the present generation that is
helping the rapid advancement of our
people. Is not the adoption Of the
thite mans habits, dress, methods
of farming, symbol of advanced
yilization?
There is the question Of whether
or not the Indian makes use of his
,ducation, or goes back to his former
way Of living. Perhaps the majority
DO not go into the Offices, stores and
other places Of business. Altho there
is a good portion that are in such
places and hold such positions. Ask
yourself what the average white boy
and girl does. Then compare. Every
one needs an education to get along
in this day.
Even if the educated young Indian
men and women do resume their
shawl handkerchief, big hat and
boots, they do not give up their edu-
cation as something useless. They
really make use of it every day. They
teach their parents the ways Of the
whites, the more modern ways of
living, new methods in farming and
other industries, and many other
everyday facts. They translate many
things to their old people. Is that
worth while? 1t certainly is. Did
you even think it could be possible?
Is that worth more than merely
working among the whites and not
trying to uplift our own people?
1t takes time and patience to up
lift any people, and that is what
most Of the educated Indians are
doing. Even II they are dressed in
their native costumes, are they not
just as good? Even il they attend
their tribal Festivities and cling to
the supersitions Of their ancestry.
Have not the whites just as foolish
ideas and traits? Think it over.
Every people has its own customs,
habits, beliefs and traditions. You
have, so why should the Indians be
ridiculed for theirs?
United States Soldiers
The question Of loyalty and pat
riotisn is asked many times. The
Indians are the truest of patriots.
Was this not their country first?
Why shouldn't they be loyal and
patriotic? Have not 10000 Of our
Indian manhood dearly offered their
lives for our country, America?
Eight thousand have been IN active
service lover there" Many have
sacrificed their red blood and lay
side by side with your boys, all equal
in the sight Of that "Great Spirit"
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