The Washington times., 1922-04-23
RED DSKIN'S LIFE
STILL THRILLS
BOYHO0D
Quaint Sign Languages and
Adventurous Life In Great
Outdoors Makes Present
Day Youngsters Yeam for
Return Of Similar Days.
~ EDWARD ]. DUFFY.

American boyhood has ever
looked with delighted eyes at
the rich tradition Of Indian ro-
nance, and behind the story Of
cur redskins is a thrilling reve-
lation Of natures greatness.
A wealth Of folk lore and q
knowledge Of religion. nature,
and tho value Of clean living
has indeed made the American
Indian o picturesque figure
worthy Of intense study. Only
recently have scientists been
earnestly studying our Iadians.
and every year brings more
knowledge of our Indian life to
the world.
Even as the ancient peoples
mingled for common gain. the
aboriginals of North America
formed tribes early In their his
tory. These groups numbered as
many AZ 800, and in time these
groups Joined for mutual advan-
tage into confederacies.
Their language was quaint, and
generally the confederacies spoke
q common tongue. They had their
dialects and signs. differing az the
modern tongues do.
The civilization Of these primi-
tive reds was far more developed
than generally believed. As rule,
they titled the soil. while many
lived by hunting.
With the discovery Of America,
the redskins were given their name
by Columbus, who thought he had
found India Since coming Of the
white man the population Of North
American Indians has rapidly
dwindled.
They adopted the white mans
mode of warfare, using 1t to thin
their own ranks and to fight the
white man, each Of which contrib
uted to the gradual lessening Of
their numbers.
While there were millions Of
American Indians at the time Of
tho early Colonial settlements, now
there are less than 100000. The
Indian adopted the language, re-
hgion and customs Of the white
settlers.
The village, the Indian city, was
composed of q group Of varied
type dwellings-notably adohes.
pueblos and tepees. An essentia'
feature was the kiva, q large
building known as a meeting place
Haida. Tshilkat. and Navajo In
diana were adept at fashionir
quaint jewelry, an important part
Of the equipment of every real red
skin. The garb of the Indians diff.
fered with their geographical loca-
ton. The Chippewayans. so-called
because Of their pointed shirts.
wore more modern types Of cloth.
ing, while the Mojave women wore
bark hustle rolls. upon which they
carried their papooses. Suits were
made from skin. cotton. and rab-
bit fur.
California tribes practiced tattoo
ing. which was an art of every In
dian. Virginia Indians tattooed
insignia OF their social rank upon
their bodies. while Cheyennes
SCARED themselves with deliber-
ately inflicted gashes-as our bold
predecessors feared neither blood
nor pain.
The Menominis subsisted on rice,
the Hurons cultivated sunflowers
FOR their seeds. and many tribes
Mved on their farm produce. Near
the sea fish and clans were eaten.
Stone implements were used ex-
tensively by the Indians. both in
peace and war. They had a rich
mythology. and held in sacred cs-
TEEN many animals, such as dogs
and turkeys. which they had suc-
eeeded In domesticating.
The American Indian was essen
tially . warrior. ~ all through his
tory stories run Of the endless con-
flict Of tribes with each other. and
combined. as in the Five Nations,
against the whites.
Picturesque chiefs We have
known through reading. such A.
Blaclhawk and others. have pro-
Vfded the children of today with
interesting data on early Indian
life. Young America worships our
indian traditions with as great a
reverence N they hold for stories
Of the Revolution.
Conflict has duIled our apprs-
s1ation Of the strength. talents and
capabilities Of Indians, ana com.
mercialism has deprived them Of
lands, means Of living and avenues
Of education. For those few thou.
sands yet remaining. II n hoped
and believed Uncle Sam win come
30 the rescue and aid in saving the