The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1961-11-30
of more industrial development
specialists.

of more industrial development
specialists.
2. That the Bureau assist the
tribes in setting up programs de-
signed to prepare Indian commu-
mites for employment in indus
trial establishments. Past exper-
fence has shown that the routine
of industrial employment is for
eign to many Indian groups. A
vocational counsellor on the res
ervation can be of great aid to
tribal officials in this matter.
8. That the Bureau give con-
sideration to the establishment
of a reservation economic devel-
opment advisory board. Because
special technical experts will be
required, it is suggested that the
Secretary of the Interior work
out a loan of these specialists
They would serve as temporary
consultants on a term not to ex-
coed one years time, with re-
placements staggered in order TO
maintain the continuity of the
advisory group. Similar boards
should also be established wher-
ever possible at the reservation
level.
A. That tribes be encouraged
to use monies, or other income
available to them, to establish
industrial sites, and finance other
activities designed to attract and
hold industries. In such planning
Bureau technical assistance
should be readily available and
the Federal Government might
also help by devices used in other
economic development programs,
such as accelerated depreciation
on capital investment, small bust
ness loans, and provision of ia
cilities at low rentals. Some OF
these latter programs would re-
quire special legislation.
*Such a proposal was a part of
the proposed program of the
Occur d'Alene Tribe.
Arts and Crafts
Few Indians depend solely on
handicraft production for their
livelihood, but in hundreds of
families, arts and crafts are
major source of income. The In
dian Arts and Crafts Board has
records indicating that more than
So. 100000 has been received by
various organized crafts groups
in the past ten years, and other
sums, estimated at So million a
year, are received from sales by
individual Indians. II is clear
that high quality products can
readily be sold at prices which
justify the time spent in their
manufacture.
Arts and crafts are important
builders of Indian morale. Rec
ognition by the general public
of their artistic merit demon
strates to the craftsman that his
workmanship is esteemed and
that art forms of the tribe or
group deserve preservation in
the modern world. Furthermore
these items help to promote un
Outstanding of traditional Indian
ways. AS expressions of Indian
thought and emotions, they tel
non-Indians what kinds of people
Indians are.
The Task Force believes the
promotion and development oil
arts and crafts must be an int
grail part of the educational pro,
gram of the Bureau. Unfortunate
ly, during the past few years, the
Bureau has withdrawn its sup
port from many craft projects
begun earlier. Various reasons
have been advanced-that they
are not proper activities for the
Bureau; that they cost too much
money; that they are not profit.
able; and that they are keeping
the Government in business.
Members of the Task Force be
lieve that the benefits which In,
dams gain from continuing their
arts and crafts are more than
sufficient to outweigh whatever
merit the above arguments may
have. They recommend, there,
fore, that mere attention and
support be given to the Indian
arts and crafts program.
In connection with the above
the Task Force recommends ais
that the Department help thf
Arts and Crafts Board to obtai
an increase in its appropriation
which, from the beginning, has
been inadequate. The current al
location should be nearly doubles
if an effective operation is to be
developed. 1t is important to note
that the Board does not itsel
engage in business. Its functions
are to set standards, authenti.
cate genuine Indian handicrafts
and help the Indians market
their products.
The Task Force is pleased to
learn that the Santa Fe Boarding
high school with a maximum ca
pacity of 500 students will be-