The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-15
THAT most interesting and pictur.

HAT most interesting and pictur-
esque ceremonial of the American
Indians. '"The Snake Dance" is to
be suppressed-if Charles Burke, the
United States Indian Commissioner, is able
to enforce his recent order forbidding the
usual tribal dances
To the Indians, the Snake Dance means
just as much as Easter services do to the
Episcopalians or Catholics, or the feast of
Yona Kippur to the Jews. The custom has
come down to them from time beyond
memory, and their priests have taught
them the serious Importance in kheir own
lives and for their future welfare of a
proper observance of the tribal dances.
The Indians have, many of them, looked
in on the white mans dances, and they
cannot see anything elevating or inspiring
in the jazz music and the Bunny Hug,
Tango and Fox Trot of their white cous-
ms. To the Indians, Commissioner Burkes
ruling seems an arbitrary interference
with their religious rights, and it is
question whether their point of view
might not be sustained by an appeal to
the courts.
When Commissioner Burke issued his
order he said:
Il urge you to come to an understand
ing and an agreement with your superin-
tendents to hold no gatherings in the
months when the seed-time, cultivation of
crops and the harvest need your attention,
and at other times to meet for only
short period and to have no drugs, intoxi-
cants or gambling and no dancing that
the superintendent does not approve.
eff at the end Of one year the reports
which / receive show that you are doing
as requested / shall be very glad, for l
will know that you are making progress
in other and more important ways, but if
the reports show that you reject this plea,
then some other course will have to be
taken
Chiefs Homer Watson and Al BARNARD.
of the Yakima Indian tribe, in the State
of Washington, were much upset at this
command from the white chief in Wash
ington, D. c., and they have sent a formal
protest to Burke in these words:
"You tell us in other ways to look to
the white man. You say, Farm as the
white man does and Save your money
as the white man does and the like.
When you stop the white man from dane
ing we may begin to think dancing an
evil and also stop dancing. But why
should the poor Indian stop his dances
when the white man doesn't stop his
dances?"
The Indians do not intend to pay any
attention to Commissioner Burke's order,
and they insist that the usual tribal Spring
dances, which include the Snake Dance,
will be held as usual. The intimation that
the tribal dances might be given during
the Winter time on the Indian reserva-
tions (when visitors would not come to
see the ceremonials), has been hailed by
the Indians with derision. They point out
the stupidity and ignorance of the Wash
ington officials who deal with the Indians.
They say that in the Winter time the
snakes are all frozen away in their hiding
places and it will be impossible to get
hold of the necessary serpents for the
ceremonial.
The Indians also ask if Mr.. Burke would
be Just as we'll satisfied to celebrate his
Christmas on the Fourth of July, or make
April Fools Day Independence Day.
And the Indians and their medicine
men (who are their clergymen and priests
resent Burke's nonchalant way of telling
them they are wasting too much time with
their religious observances, and that they
ought not to bother with religion during
harvest time, but it would be all right to
have a few harmless services during the
Winter season when there is no work to
be done.
Of course, the Indian is more or less