The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1958-01-09
svpt. Johnson Explains
Relationship Of Bureau

Nos~ss0ssSI1sP " OOs0oO
CONTINUED from Page u
dian as a citizen. and with the
interests of tribal groups.
With the passage Of time and
increased contracts. differences
between the old world cultures
as exemplified by the white man.
and the new world cultures as
represented by Indian groups
have continued to lessen.
The indignation of persons of
Indian ancestry into what We
might term the dominant Ameri.
can culture is inevitable. This
process could not be checked
even If 1t were desirable.
All peoples in the world are
confronted with rhc need to meet
ever changing conditions. Int,
grafton implies harmonious ad
justment contacts rather than bi
illogical or social uniformity.
The American people of today
are of diverse physical types.
patterns of living and thought.
The blending OF these differ.
enceS is continuous
The function Of the Bureau Of
Indian Affairs is that of assisting
Indians in making adjustments
necessary for ln,egration with
the dominant culture to the end
that they may share fully the
privileges and responsibilities of
citizenship. The technique is sim.
ply that of helping Indian people
to help themselves
The goal of present Indian pol.
icy is that of achieving a condi.
ton of equality for the Indian
people a. compared with the rest
Of the population.
1t means maximum conServa.
ton of natural resources, increas-
ing oppOrtunitic> for employment
both on and away from the reScr-
walton. improving relationships
between Indians and nOnlndians.
raising health and education lev.
els. development OF initiative and
giving Indians the same freedom
and responsibility IL manage.
ment as other citizens
The Blackfect Tribe was or
gained under the Indian Reor.
ganization Act by popular vote
of the people in 1885 Since tina;
time an ever increasing rcSpons!,
bility for administering tribal af.
fairs is being assumed by the
tribe through its c1u">!!
For example. SINCE January l.
1884. the Black:c"; Tribe has
paid approximately 80 per cen;
Of the cost of dire: ASSISTANCE
for the Indians in G..cl"r and
Pondera counties
It has developed brochure
and chartered a program design
ed . program to bring mall in
dustry to the a:ca-~' kcd out
. credit program 10 !.c!p mem.
bers take advantage Of CONNER.
cial lending agencies for pro.
ductive enterprises and many
more examples could be cited.
With far sishtedncss on the
part Of Hlackfeet Tribal leaders.
a sympathetic understanding on
the part of non.lndians in the
adjacent co m m un les. both
pointed toward helping Indians
help themselvcs-ihe future can
indeed be bright one not only
for the Blackfcct people but for
this entire community and the
state Of Montana. and | nigh;
add. the nation.
4 community. town. county or
any other subdivision progresses
IN proportion TO the efforts Of
its leading citizens when they
have the backing Of sizcablc
segment Of its population. People
cannot be expected TO lend in.
telligent support to q program.
whether il be some minor civic
Improvement or major political
issue. unless il Is fully informed.
II not informed. the needed
support and understanding may
we'll work in reverse when left
to obtain It's information by ri.
NOR or hearsay."
In closing his speech. Supcrin'
tendcnt johnson expressed the
hope that the new year would be
one OF mutual understanding and
working together for the benefit