NATIVE SCHOOLS OF
ALASKA PROGRESSIVE
From a small beginning forty-three
years ago in a primitive building in
Southeastern Alaska, the educational
facilities for Alaska natives have ad
vanced until today Alaska Indian chil
dren enjoy a system of education sec
ond to none in the nation. It is true
that many of the outlying districts are
handicapped by inferior buildings and
equipment, but the ability of the
teaching staff is equal to any in the
States.
The first public school for natives
in Alaska was established at Wran
gell in 1877 and placed in charge of
a lady teacher. In 1878 a home for
gifls was established, and in the sea
r son of 1880 and 1881 this latter estab
lishment contained thirty inmates,
while the school had an average of
sixty.
At Sitka a school was opened in
April, 1878, and kept open with vary
ing success until April, 1880. One of
the naval officers stationed at Sitka
introduced upon his own initiative a
system of compulsory education, ap
pointing a regular truant officer; each
child was labeled, and if found on the
streets during school hours, was ar
rested, and the head of the house to
which the child belonged was fined or
imprisoned. This extraordinary and
arbitrary measure worked so well that
the average attendance was suddenly
forced up to 230 and 250, one day
reaching 271, a result highly gratifying
to the Presbyterian teacher, whatever
objections the public had to his modus
operandi on constitutional grounds.
The school above mentioned was for
Indians alone. For the benefit of the
creole children a school was estab
lished in 1879, with the assistance of
the naval authorities, who furnished
, a teacher and interpreter in the per
son of an educated creole lady, -who
was rated as “able seaman” in order
that her warrants might be cashed
without undue investigation into the
methods of the officials. This school
had an average attendance of from
45 to 60 persons, who were instructed
in English and primary branches.
In the summer of 1880 a Christian
Indian woman of the Tongas tribe
was sent to open a school at the head
of Lynn canal; buildings were erected
by the Presbyterian board of missions
and a teacher installed, who reported
an attendance of 75.
A school was established among
the Hoonah tribe, on Cross sound.
The teacher reported 70 pupils.
At the southern end of Prince of
Wales island, on Cordova bay, a chief
presented a house to the Presbyterian
mission, and a school was opened
with 80 pupils.
According to a report of the bureau
of education the northern district has
an enrollment of 1,137 native pupils;
the Western district, 785; the Upper
Yukon district, 545; the Southeastern
district, 998, or a total of 3,635 native
pupils. These native schools are con
trolled and maintained by the govern
ment, teachers being appointed by the
bureau of education, their qualifica
tions requiring a good moral charac
ter. fair education, a knowledge of
domestic and manual training, and a
good disposition, a successful teacher
having sympathy and taking deep in
terest in the natives.
The Sheldon Jackson school, in the
southeastern part of Alaska, has espe
cially young native girls to assume
a responsible place in their homes,
teaching them useful occupations and
raising them from ignorance and
squalor to’ a high state of civilization.
The school at Wood island, near
Kodiak, has fitted many native chil
dren to become useful citizens. In
early days this school would take
charge of Indian slaves condemned
to death by the masters, many women
being among the number. Of late
years it has had an efficient teaching
corps, and as a result of its opera
tions the natives in the vicinity of
Kodiak are of a superior intelligence
and live more like civilized peoples
than those of any other race north of
Juneau.
A great handicap in teaching the
natives is found in the diversity of
languages, each tribe having a dif
ferent tongue, and each having dif
ferent customs, although but a few
miles apart. The Russian priests
have inculcated a love of religion in
the great majority of them, and have
taught them many useful trades.
That they are worth saving is shi ;n
by the results accomplished.
THOROUGHLY MODERN. NEAREST TO EVERYTHING
POPULAR PRICES
Hotel Atwood
Corner First Avenue and Pine Street
Seattle, Wash.
J. A. FARNHAM and E. TAYLOR, Proprietors.
Headquarters for Alaskans
Ted Taylor, formerly chief steward S. S. Alaska.
I SEND IT TO JONES
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I I Washing that will make I
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1 Clothes Wear Longer f
:§ | The many methods for washing clothes can 8
8 | be reduced to two classifications.
| Either they wear clothes out quickly—or 8
8 I they make clothes longer-lived. 8
8 | Only the sturdiest homespuns could endure 8
t I the scrub-board treatment to which grand- 8
8 I mother subjected the family washing. 8
§: | Ours is the modern way—the way that 8
8 | makes it possible for you to obtain the long- 8
8 1 est possible service from the household 8
8 | linens and garments you buy. 8
8 5 When you send your family washing to us, 8
| the clothes are never jerked back and forth 8
8 1 over a wash-board. Our method is the sim- 8
§j | pier one of sousing and rinsing in water of 8
8 I wonderful softness and suds of pure white 8
I f soap‘ I
8 S We use the same principle you adopt when 8
8 I you wash your favorite Georgette waist by 8
8 | lifting and lowering in a bowl. 8
8 I Do your Monday washing the clothes-saving
8 | way by giving your family bundle to our i'|
I I driver. |ij:
| |Modern|aundry 1
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i* * 8 (JONES’ LAUNDRY 8
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PHONE PHONE
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A BANK DRAFT | J
Makes an ideal Christmas gift for .
I young and old. We forward the money j
to your famliy, relative or friend to
any part of the world, together with : —
appropriate holiday greetings.
- * Call and let us explain this service to :
THI
FIRST BANK i
SECURITY® SERVICE ®SATISFACTION
ESTABLISHED 1609 1
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Santa Claus
Arrives at
Clayson’s
Hey!.. Hey there! Wait till I catch up! Say, kids, Santa
Claus was in Cordova last night and was in Clayson’s store,
and left a sign there that said everything in the store was a
Christmas present for somebody.
HERE ARE MEN’S OVERCOATS AND BIG STOCK OF MEN’S TIES
ULSTERS, THE NEW STYLES, WITH M EN’S SI LK SHI RTS
BELTS AND CLOSE-FITTING BACKS LADIES’ AND CHILDREN’S SKATING
MEN’S FINE SUITS SETS
MEN’S, WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S J INFANTS’ FANCY ROBES
FELT SHOES 1 INFANTS’ SUITS IN SETS
LADIES’ FANCY HANDKERCHIEFS FINE STOCK OF LADIES’ FANCY OX
CHILDREN’S FANCY SOX FORDS, PUMPS AND SHOES
LADIES’ SILK HOSE MEN’S SILK MUFFLERS
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S ROBES MEN’S NOVELTY SLIPPERS
MEN’S SMOKING JACKETS ERMINE, OTTER, LYNX, WOLVERINE
FANCY BATH SETS, ETC. AND MINK SKINS
And just everything, so nobody has to go without a Christmas
present this year, ’cause I say so. (Signed)
SANTA CLAUS.
^ you don’t think the above is true,
I HANDKERCHIEFS] j come in and see for yourself. If you
do think so, come in anyway.
CLAYSON
THE CLOTHIER
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