The Glacier reporter., 1953-10-02
observations
FROM THE SIDELINES .
By T. A. Busey

Since locating in Browning a
few weeks ago, the writer of this
column has found that there are
three major problems, or issues,
which are uppermost in the mind
of most people who are looking
toward the future development of
this immediate area-the govern
ments announced policy of term
mating the ward sataus of the
Indian population; the possibil-
tiles of oil and gas development
on large scale along the noun
tain front, and the further devel-
opment Of the tourist traffic bus
mess during the summer months.
The first issue, and the one
that is demanding immediate at
tention, appears to be the first
mentioned-the cover m n is
intention of terminating the ward
status of the Indians There are
about six thousand people living
on the Blackfeet reservation who
have some kind of rights recog-
nized by the government Among
that number, not more than 1000
it is conservatively estimated, are
full blood Indians, and the re-
maindcr are of mixed Indian and
white blood of varying proper
tiOns.
1t has long been the desire of
the government, and most of the
Indian population, to give to the
people of the Indian race the
same equality of opportunity, and
with that the responsibility that
accompanies that privilege, to the
Indian people that is enjoyed by
their white neighbors. But just
how to bring this desired result
about has been moot question,
and it was not until the present
administration took over the gov
ernment the first of this year
that any concrete plan looking to-
ward the fulfillment of this
worthy objective was undertake
Ell.
Naturally there are many diff
fering opinions and suggestions
being being put forth as to the
best method of procedure, al
though most everyone is agreed
that the step taken so far is in the
right direction.
The Indians have been granted
full citizenship, and for some
time have had the same voting
privilege as their white neigh
borS. But at the same time they
have been hedged in with certain
restrictions that have not been in
keeping with the theory that the
Indian people are the full equal
! as citizens with their white neigh
bOrS.
/ The government spends huge
sums of the taxpayers money,
austensibly for the benefit of the
Indians on the several reSerVa-
tions, mostly in the western
states. The Indian population,
as a whole, has shown some in
crease in recent years, but at the
same time the economic and cul-
tural status Of the individual In
dian ward has not kept pace with
the achievements of the white
population. Educational facil-
tiles provided by the government
have been the most effective
means of helping the Indians, it
is pretty generally agreed, but
even with this advancement in
education. the average Indian has
not shown the progress that
might have been expected of him.
Too many economic restrictions
have made his path forward diff
cult.
Indians themselves, have not
made the same determined effort
to improve their condition that
some of the other races have
made-the negroes, for example.
The so-called colored man, ever
since his liberation from slav-
cry, has put up gallant fight
for his individual rights, and they
have made steady and rapid pro-
gress. The Indian people, it has
been pointed out, have depended
too much on the help of the gov
ernment. and have not developed
the same degree of aggressivenss
and initiative that has helped the
members of the negro race. This
the Indians will have to do if they
are to make success of their
much desired liberation and ele-
vation to a full status of Ameri-
can citizenship, and its attendant
opportunities.
In discussing the new govern
mental policy with representa-
tives of the Indian people, gov
ernment officials and represen-
tatives in the national Congress,
some general conclusions have
been reached as to the immensity
of the problem faced by both the
government and the Indian peo-
pie. About as many suggested
plans have been put forward as
the number of people interview
ed. 4