NORTHERN LIGHT
Pjblished aio.itlny by the U.ialakieet
Eskimo School -L
UnaJsk leet_Alaska
E. E 'Van Ness.alitor
< nit Dollar per year
Lihimkim COMMENT
VViBbK'
No doubt many of the teachers and
herders will have received Mr. Lopp’s
letter ere this reaches you, but in
order to acquaint others of the
important industry we are printing
the letter in full.
Elsewhere in this issusyou will also
find helpful and interesting matter
concerning the co ning fairs, by Supt
Walter ShieMs of the Northwestern
District.
In both letters important subjects
are brought to our attention.
After reading all the mat er over
very carefully we realize as never
before the GREAT mistake many of
the native are making in not tend
ing strictly to the reindeer business.
Seattle, Washington,
Oct. 23,1915
To the Native Reindeer Appren
tices, Herders,and Owners of Alaska:
Since returning from my
brief visit to the Western and North
western Districts I desire to say a few
words to you regarding the growing
importance of the reindeer industry
with which you are connected.
It is unnecessary for me to review
for you the rapid growth of this new
industry.
. You doubtless know it started in
1892, with a small herd of 171 deer
at Port Clarence, when a reindeer
was valued at $3.00 or $4.00. You
also know that there are now abou:
40,000 in Alaska, owned by yourpeo
pie. You know that these 40,000 rein
deer are easily worth $15 00 each,or
$600,000.
Stop and think what that means
more than half a million dollars
worth of property owned by natives
of Alaska, who, 20 years ago owned
practically no property. RemembeT
also, that the reindeer owned by the
natives of Alaska are practically the
o ly property owned by them which
the white men covet.
Because of your customs, manner
or living and lack of education, the
acqairing of this half a million dol
lars worth of property places a heavy
burden of responsibility upon you.
1 his wealth has come upon you sc
gradually that you cannot appreciate
what it means to you now and what
it will mean to your people in the
future. Many of you, at times, have
shown by your neglect of your rein
deer that you do not appreciate theit
true value.I have known herders
who owned 50, 100, 200, and even
500 deer, who were willing to trust
them to the careof young boys,
during the spring, summer and fall
seasous-the most important seasons
of the year.
Think of leaving the care and
management of property worth
$5,000. ,$10.000., and even as much
as $20,000., for days and weeks
to a few inexperienced l>oys!
How far would the owner of j?
schooner or steamer worth $10,000
or $20,000.,trust his vessel to inex -
perienced people?I hope you will stop
and think about that.