Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-22
What the Indians
Are Doing
By Frederic ]. Haskin.


Roosevelt administration than at any
time in many years. John Collier, named
commissioner of Indian affairs, is a red.
man enthusiast, long associated with
Indian interests. He has altered the
entire policy of the ONCE Of Indian
Affairs.
Inolan reservations were originally set
up when the Indian problem was large
one. To some extent, the reservation
system was a protective measure. 1t
was felt that the white settlers would be
safer from molestation if the Indians
were concentrated and kept on the places
set aside for them.
About 10 years ago this policy began
to be abandoned The Indians had
dwindled to only few more than 100000
and it was believed best gradually to
liquidate the reservations and encourage
the Indian to become aSsimilated with
the general population. An organized
effort was made to find Jobs for the
Indians off the reservations. Ultimately,
it was felt. there would no longer be
any need for the reservation The /.
Indians had been granted citizenship
rights and were to be treated no differ
emily from any other Americans.
When John Collier took Office under
the present administration this policy
was precisely reversed. He changed the
Indian Office policy back to one Of con-
centration on the reservations and in
ventive work in aid of the Indians there.
1t was his view that, instead Of being
aSSimilated and absorbed in the general
population, the Indian should be enabled
10 maintain his racial integrity.
Indian reservations are scattered
widely over American territory, and this
means that large variety Of crops can
be raised. In some of the Northern
reservations frost occurs every month of
the year. while in the South conditions
are nearly tropical. The Indian never
was natural farmer 1t has been the
task of the Indian Office to teach him.
and great deal Of patience is required
in that work.
The Indians do not raise large field
crops on the reservations. Each one has
a garden. some of them we'll worked and
some neglected. The gardens are usually
of about half an acre in extent, but
an effort is being made TO get the Indians
to plant and raise more to assist with the
Winter food problem. Often, in heavy
Winters. the Indians are threatened by
starvation and the Government. on a
number of occasions. has had TO come
to their relief They now are being
taught TO plant. in addition to their
green vegetable wants enough Of the
type Of produce which stores well TO
insure a Winter supply of food.
Financial Aid Is Offered.
There are differences between Indian
individuals just as there are differences
between the individuals of other races.
Some Indians show a great deal of
initiative and perseverance and have de-
veloped excellent farms. raising live
stock and producing, in addition TO their
own hvings, surplus cash crops. In
genious irrigation systems have been
worked out by some Of them.
1t has often been noted that the white
man gave to the Indians, as permanent
reservations, lands which he did not
want himself. and this is largely true.
To be sure, through operation of an
ironiCal justice, some OF this desplSed
land came to produce oil in such vast
quantities as to make millionaires out
of the Indian owners. In general, though,
the reservation lands are poor and better
adapted to grazing than TO any other
type of farming.
Formerly, such Indians as did raise
stock did not manage very well. They
bought high-priced breeding stock TO
produce what seemed to offer the best
in meat profits. rather than the types
most suitable for their grazing lands
and the type of grass grown. The eX-
tension service of the Indian Office now Is
making progress in altering this state OF
affairs and showing them how TO stock
their lands to the best advantage.
The Indian reorganization act, recently
passed by Congress. appropriated $780,
600 as an Indian credit fund. This
money is to be used in making loans to
Indians to enable them to buy live stock,
better seed and farming machinery and
implements 1t is planned that the
Indians shall organize live stock asso-
Citations and. perhaps, make JOINT loans
somewhat on the basis OF co-operatlyes.
The money can be used for purchase
of improved and better adapted breed
ing stock, for vaccineS and dips, and for
fencing Loans are not confined 10 live
stock. but Indians on any reservation can
borrow for any agricultural purpose The
whole fund will operate as a revolving
fund. repaymentS of loans being put out
again. Before obtaining loan the in
dividuaI must outline his program-the
uses TO which he intends to put the
money. The advice of extension agents
is at all times available to the Indian
farmers.
Women and Children Helped.
The work of the Indian extension
service, under the New Deal has not
been confined to farm problems. There
is an active home economics section
which has been assisting the lndlan
women. The work has been carried on
as a sort of link between the school and
the home. An example OF what mas
been done is given in the use OF surplus
Army clothing which has been turned
over to some of the reservations. Inc
women have been taught how to take
the uniforms apart and recut the cloth
in such a manner as to make garments
for children. Entire families OF children
in this way appear clad in old uniforms.
There are various ramiflcations OF TINS
home economics work. Underwear is
made from flour sacks. the women are
taught how to make slips and aprons,
thew are taught canning and dyelng and
a variety of home arts, with especial
attention being given to the utilization
of waste articles 1t must be remembered
that while there are few Indians who
have been made immensely wealthy by
oil. the vast majority OF them are oes-
r,erateIy impoverished. Their poverty,
il has been said by some critics, is due
tn their natural Discrimination for Work,
and by others to the poor quality OF their
lands Whatever the reason, they are
Door and the Indian Office is bending
every effort to help them to help them