The Alaska daily empire., 1921-11-21
INDIANS GIVEN
 STRAIGHT TALK
 ON CITIZENSHIP
Can Become Citizen Only by Leading Civilized Lie,
 Says Wickersham.


 as the Indian Severality Act, by lay ing aside the tribal habits and cas- toms and leading the life of a civ ilized person, Judge James Wicker shaw told the Alaska Native Brotn erhood convention in it's closing $ sion at the local A N. B. Hall Sat urday evening. Judge Wicker5aam subject was The Civil Rights of the Natives of Alaska"
 Five Alaska Tribes In his introduction, Judge Wicker sham said that it had become fash ionable" to speak of the members ot aboriginal races as natives Of Al aska" He said he saw no reason for using "whitewash' or attempting to disguise the law. You are all Indians" he said He divided Al askan Indians into five nations Eskimo, Tana, Thlinget, Tsimpslan and Hyda Each. he said, had well defined tribal habits and customs No one law, he said, can apply to ail alike. Some live like civilized people | and can acquire citizenship wAile | some cannot become citizens
 Some Civil Rights
 Judge Wickersham said that as far as he knew, the Indians hal the 1 same rights to go into the courts over matters involving their rights. i possessions, their liberty and the pursuit of happiness as any white man and are punished for crimes n the same manner is members of the white race Generally speaking. he said there is no difference i'll re- spect to civil rights.
 Cannot Cast Ballot
 There is one difference, he con tinued, land that is in respect to casting a ballot in the ballot box. The Indians want the right to vote and their friends want to see them have it and l agree with them. This | is a matter of law and must be ap- | preached honestly The Indians m this country were not entitled to vote" none of you he declared.
 Outlines National Policy
 Judge Wickersham then gave his view of the policy of the national government in it's relations and deal. ings with the Indians of the United States Prior to 1870, he said, it had entered into treaties with various tribes. Subsequent to that date Il was determined to make the Indians citizens of the United States to naturalze them by law This, he said, could not be done by the gen eral naturalization law which was applicable to members of the white and negro races only.
 Passes Act of 1877 Congress passed an act in 1877, he said. which opened the door of American citizenship to Indians, al lowing them, after they had compiled with the requirements of the law, to vote and send their children to the public schools" This act Of Con gress he referred to as the Indian Declaration of Independence.' Ill this matter, he declared the govern ment has been perfectly fair to the Indians. It requires them to aban- don their tribal relations, customs and habits, and to lead the lives of civilized persons Having done so, the ballot box, he said, would be opened to them
 Some Have Done So
 There are one or two men who have done everything required and hope to vote for one of them this fall myself" he declared. It is natural thing for the Indians to want to vote, have a voice in the election of Delegate to Congress, and in choosing members of both Houses of the Territorial Legislature, and +1 send men there themselves, said Judge Wickersham.
 Territorial Laws Discussed
 Judge Wickersham discussed brtef- ly two Territorial laws relative to the Indians. The Act of 1915, pro viding for issuance of certificates by the U. S. District Court showing that Indians had complied with the Act of Congress of 1877 and was entitled 10 all the rights of citizens, he said, is not necessary, adding but it is q good thing to do and helps as well as settles the question" The second Territorial law mentioned was one providing for the establishment of Indian community governm ents This is the very thing they ought not to do, he declared, "l am not sure that 1t is fatal to aspirants for citizenship rights, but it makes them doubtful"
 As to Reservations
 Judge Wickersham said that n his judgment as a lawyer, the fact oi residence of Indians on the three Alaska Indian reservations-Me katla. Hyda and Klawock, would ac' as a preventative to such residents acquiring citizenship. Tt is m, judgment as your friend and lawyer that they cannot become citizens | they live there he said.
 He praised the work which is be ing done in those three places. H. was inclined to believe that for In dians to exchange what they were enjoying at those three places fo the right to vote once every tw,
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