New Britain herald., 1922-07-07
MAKE A
 SUCCESS 0F GOVT.
Have Enjoyed Self Government
 for Many Years

Chicago, July 7.-Completing a six thousand mile journey from Point Hope. Alaska. which consumed three months and six days-two months and eight days of which were spent in "mushing" a thousand miles be. hind dog sled through the snow,-- Rev. William A. Thomas, Episcopal Missionary at Point Hope, three hun. dred miles north of the Arctic Circle brings remarkable story of self governing Esquimau community which has been successfully carried on at Point Hope for the past six years.
 Under the tutelage Of the mission aries equal suffrage has been estab b. lished among the Tigaras. who an- nually in town meeting elect from among themselves the OmaJik, or council of Leading Men, who, in turn enact the local laws and see to their enforcement among the thousand na- tives who inhabit the region. This democracy of the frozen north even has its own prohibition law, which was adopted three years before the | in the United States says Rev. Thom- as.
 This unique venture in Home Rule was inaugurated six years ago, after the breakdown of the autocratic rule of a tribal chief. and following the instruction which has been given the younger generation of Esquimau through 31 years at the Episcopal school at Point Hope. Rev. Thomas reports.
 Originally the Omalik was com posed of seven men" says Rev. Thomas But 1t was found later that five was a better number. From the beginning of the experiment the right of suffrage was given to men and women alike, in the selection of the Council. Christmas was fixed $ the day of the election because on that day all of the tribesmen come into the settlemen for feasting and mer- ry making, and we are able thereby to get fullest expression of sentiment of people. The names are written on blackboard. and the five securing the greatest number of votes are de- clared elected, while that one of the five who receives the greatest numbers of votes becomes the chief council man"
 Rev. Thomas points out that the Esauimaux are a singularly orderly and law abiding people so that the work of the Omalik is largely confined to the enactment of routine municipal ua m police and no courts. The Missionary gives some quaint illustrations of the manner in which Esquimau selfgov- ernment works. For example, the Omalik has a regulation against gos- sips. Any person male or female found guilty of gossiping, is called before the entire community and publicly rebuk- ed by the chief Omalik. All forms of lying are frowned upon, but particu- larly among the young. A young man caught lying to his parents is sentenc- ed to carry a certain amount of wa ter for the public use; or, as an alter native, to give a days time to assist ing some aged couple in cleaning up their ieloo or hut A lad who stole some tobacco was sentenced to clean out his victims doghouse. Another native who was guilty of a trlf1ing theft, was sentenced to accompany one of the officials on jaunt of 419 miles to Point Barrow walking all the way behind a dog sled. He was furnished his meals on the journey and, Of course, had his rest periods, but the penalty lay in being compelled to give his services during the trip in the management of the dogteam."