The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31

coast. The Siberian natives not only had the same natural resources as the Alaskans, but they also had reindeer which were herded and cared for as domestic animals. The reindeer provided the natives Of eastern Siberia with substantial food, clothing and land transporta- ton. Food and clothing at that time was a serious problem for the Eskimcs of Alaska, and, consequent ly. plans were made by Dr. Sheldon Jackson, then General Superlntend- ent for the Bureau Of Education in Alaska. to purchase reindeer from the Siberian owners and transport them aboard the cutter Bear. A few were purchased each season dur ing this ten-year period until total of 1900 were delivered on Alaskan soil in the vicinity of Teller
 This introduction of reindeer into Alaska has been called "The Most practical vocational plan ever un- dertaken by a school system. The increase of the herds continues as the EskimoS proved themselves ex- cellent reindeer men. Their habits for generations past had been mo- madic, now they became pastoral people, living with their deer, rear ing their children in that atmos- phere and centering their whole in terest on the development of rein deer herds
 Widely Distributed
 Today reindeer are distributed along the Alaska coast line from Atka. on the Aleutian Islands into Bristol Bay, the Kuskokwim, Nor ton Sound. Seward Peninsula, Kot- zebue Sound, around Point Barrow and to Demarcation Point at the Canadian boundary line on the Arc tic Ocean. There are approximately 600 .0OO reindeer now in the Territory of Alaska, and some 4,300 Eskimos share in the ownership. Their deer are recorded in 31 different associa- tions and supply the essential food | and clothing for some 15,000 peo- l pie.
 At one time certain non-native reindeer owners were of the opinion that large shipments of meat coulo be made to the States and thus sup plement the regular beef markets of the nation. An extensive adver- Using campaign started and for time transcontinental railroads car. ried reideer meat on the menu. bu various difficulties arose which made it impossible to deliver a supply o good reindeer meat to the center of population in the United States Consequently, shipments are nov limited. A little is sent each yea
 to the cities of Southeast flask; and some to Seattle, but the Rein
 deer Service. and other informe'
 people believe the reindeer shoul
 be used as first planned when in
 troduced into Alaska, to furnisl
 food and clothing for the nativ
 people.
 The original plan for which rem deer were introduced into Alaska this year being definitely realized
 An Act of Congress provides tha all non- native reindeer will be pur
 chased by the Government for dis l tribution among Eskimos and In dians of the Territory. Reindee
 herding will again be reestablishe
 and we have every reason to be lieve the natives will realize th value of reindeer for their econom
 security and will once again her their deer and thus perpetuate tn
 all important industry.
 Arts and Crafts
 a In 1885, by an Act of Congres
 the Indian Arts and Crafts Boal , was created for the purpose of prt z noting the economic welfare of u . Indians and the preservation ( their arts and crafts. It has bee z noticeable during the past sever i, years that Indian made goods we !, on the decline. Such factors = foreign and domestic competitio and machine made imitation, we