Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-21

nat Uncle sam mas Deen dong IN
the way of educating his wards in
Alaska. the natives of the great ter
ritory known as Stewards Folly"
when 1t was acquired by the United
States, is the subject Of an interest.
ing report by William Hamilton, as.
sistant chief, Alaska division, Bureau
of Education. that has been published
by the Department of the Interior.
The work of the Bureau Of Educa-
ton in Alaska began some 40 years
ago. At that time the aborigines were
living in absolutely primitive condi.
tons. In southern Alaska and in the
interior they lived in small. filthy how
els with little light and no ventilation.
Along the shore of Bering Sea and the
Arctic Ocean their Winter habitations
were semi-subterranean huts; when
the warmer days of Summer thawed
the frozen soil, rendering these under.
ground novels uninhabitable, their
shelters were skincovered tents.
The Eskimos at that time, says Mr..
Hamilton, used rude implements of
stone, ivory and bone and consumed
much Of their seal and walrus meat
raw. Lamps filled with whale or seal
oil, and with dried moss as a wick,
were used for heating and cooking.
With the steady advance through
the years of the Bureau OF Educa-
TONS school system, and other civiliz-
ing agencies, these primitive condi-
tons have gradually disappeared, ex-
cept in some OF the remotest settle
ments, which the bureau has not yet
been able to reach.
In many of the villages, as result
Of education, the old huts have given
way to neat, well furnished houses,
the homes Of self.supporting, self-re-
speeding natives, thousands OF whom
are employed by the great canneries
Of southern Alaska. Fleets of power
boats belonging to and operated by
natives are OF great service in trans
porting fish from the fishing grounds
to the canneries. Many natives are
employed in the mines Of the territory.
Others are pilots, trappers, storekeep'
ers, loggers or ivory carvers.
They Have Learned Cooperation.
1t was found that one Of the most
effective agencies for the advance
ment in civilization of native village
was the establishment in 1t OF q CO.
operative store. owned by the natives
and managed by them under the su.
pervision Of a teacher OF a United
States pubic Scnool.
There are now IL of these enter
prises in operation in villages In WIDE
" separated parts of the Territory, ac-
cording to the report. They nave
made II possible for the natives to Sc.
cure food and clothing at equitable
prices and for them to enjoy the
profits that otherwise would go to
white traders At the same time they
have taught the natives self'confidence
and given them invaluable experience
in business affairs.
Thus 1t is seen that the problem
handled in Alaska goes far beyond
providing education for children In
schoolrooms. The bureau states that
it involves the uplifting OF entire COM
munities. The work includes the main
tenance of hospitals and orphanages
as well as of schools, the relief OF des'
titution, the fostering of trade, the or
SANITATION Of cooperative business en-
terprises, the esta blishment of colonies
a. nd the supervision Of the reindeer In
dustry.
Moreover, it means dealing with IAN
aboriginal population OF different races
dwelling in widely varying regions ana
climates, many of whom are IN state
OF racial childhood and require assist
ance in adjusting themselves to the
| new conditions with which CIVILIZATION
has confronted them"
The chief difficulties in administra-
ton are the remote and isolated char
acter Of the country, the great dis
! tances between the villages. the mea'
ger means Of communication and the
rigor of the Winter climate OF most
| of the Territory. Transportation or
appointees, supplies and building ma
| terials from Seattle TO the remote COM
munities in Alaska was for many
wears an undertaking Of great diffi'
Guilty.
It was eased to a degree when the
| Government turned over to the De-
partment of the Interior vessel rof'
merly used as a training ship for ma
val cadets Remodeled and recondi-
toned, 1t now carries to coast stations
as far north as Point Barrow ana to
the distributing points at the mouths
of the larger rivers teachers. doctors
and nurses, together with heavy tom
mage of supplies and equipment. Re-
turning 1t brings out employees whose
terms Of service have expired ana car
goes of reindeer meat, furs and other
valuable commodities. which are sold
for the Eskmos through the Seattle
office of the bureau.
| Industrial Education Undertaken.
| Until recently no systematic form
of Industrial education for Alaskan ma
tives was provided within the Terri
tory" says Mr.. Hamilton. In order
to receive such training young Alas
kans were sent to schools maintained
by the Office OF Indian Affairs In the
States. This policy was found to be
unwise and uneconomic.
ITO meet the situation, industrial
schools have been organized at
| E,klutna, near Anchorage. on the
Alaska Railroad; at Kanakanak, on
Bristol Bay, and at White Mountain,
on Seward Peninsula, all of which are
strategic points.
Included in the curriculum Of these
vocational schools are such industries
as house building, carpentry, boat
building, making furniture, sled con-
struction, operation and repair Of gas