EDUCATION OF
NATIVES IS
PROGRESSING
In order that he might visit the dif
ferent schools for natives in his juris
diction during the past year, it was
necessary for Arthur H. Miller, super
intendent of schools for natives in the
Southwestern district of Alaska, to
travel by boat, train^ dog team, snow
shoe-mushing and on foot a distance
of 10,098 miles. This fact is set forth
by Mr. Miller in his report to the bu
reau of education, which has cha>ge
lof the education of the natives in
Alaska. The report of Mr. Miller is
as follows:
“During the fiscal year ended June
30, 1918, I have traveled by boat, tr-i’n,
automobile, dog team, snowsboe
mushing and on foot 10,098 miles on
tours of inspection of schools and na
tive villages and attending to other
official business in connection with
the superintendent’s office. These
tours have occupied 245 days, the re
mainder of the year being spent in the
office at headquarters, Anchorage.
Anchorage has not only proved a prac
tical working center for the adminis
tration of the affairs of the district, but
has made possible giving special at
tention to the natives of the Cook
inlet region. In this rapidly develop
t ing section the resources of the coun
try are being utilized for commercial
purposes. Inadequate provision is
made for the native during the read
justment, and special attention must
therefore be given him.
“There appears to be a lack of well
defined understanding as to the re
sponsibility for the care and educa
tion of certain classes of natives on
the part of the territory. In several
instances the United States district
judge for this district, who is cus
todian of the indigent fund, has re
ferred calls for medical aid and as
sistance to breed natives to this of
flee, for whom it is our understanding
that the bureau of education can not
be held responsible. We therefore
feel the need for a more clearly de
fined policy establishing the responsi
bility of this bureau before the terri
i———
torial officials and the public in cases
of this kind.
“There is also a large number of
communities in the Southwestern dis
trict, and very likely some in the
other districts, where the territorial
schools have a small enrollment, and
native children are living in the same
community, but not in sufficient num
bers to justify the establishment of a
native school. These native children
are permitted to attend the territorial
school only in rare instances, and then
at the option of the local school board.
Where schools already are established
it appears to be impracticable to com
pel the parents of white children to
place their children in the same school
room with natives. It appears the
oretically plausible, but it is, I be
lieve, impracticable. However, in
communities where all the patrons
of the school petition for a school for
mixed races, permission should be
granted accordingly. Evidence that
this matter is receiving consideration
in the territory is shown by the fol
lowing letter to me from Governor
Riggs:
“ ‘I have your letter of June 12, con
cerning the establishment of a school
at Chitina, and I am glad to note that
you see the necessity of such a school,
and trust that some plan may be
evolved whereby the native children
can be given a measure of relief. The
question of schooling native children
with the whites is a matter that we
should endeavor to correct by legisla
tion during the coming session. I
think that where a school district
applies for permission to establish a
school for mixed races they should be
given authority to do so. For in
stance, on the Koyukuk we have an
application for the establishment of a
school district at Wiseman, which we
are unable to grant owing to the fact
that four of the ten children of school
age are not of the white race. I
should be very glad indeed to have
your suggestions concerning proposed
legislation.’
“There is less immorality and de
bauching of natives living in this dis
trict at the present time than for
many years. There is still far too
much. The ‘dry law’ which went into
effect throughout Alaska on January
1, 1918, is one of the best measures
for the protection of the natives.
“The natives of the Southwestern
district are not only intensely inter
ested in learning the facts concerning
the great war, but they have every
where shown their appreciation of the
assistance rendered them by their
benefactor, the United States govern
ment, by doing what they could in
helping to win the war. The more
prosperous villages have contributed
cash donations to the Red Cross work,
and in the villages where they were
unable to give cash they have volun- .
tarily made articles to be sold, and
part or all of the proceeds from such
sales have been given to the Red
Cross society. Reports show that not
less than $500 has been given to the
Red Cross work by natives of this dis
trict, and after the fishing season
more will be contributed by them.”
While fishing in the vicinity of Gra
vina island, near Bank inlet, in South
eastern Alaska, Clarenece Crawford
fell from the power boat Sue and lost
his life, according to a report made to
the authorities by his partner, A. H.
Pansy. At the time of the Occident
Pansy was in the hold of the vessel,
working on the motor, and as he came
on deck some time later he noticed
Crawford was gone. The sea was
rough and the engine of the boat was
giving considerable trouble. Craw
ford told Pansy to go below and take
care of the engine and he would work
the deck. The deceased was a young
man about 23 years of age, of exem
plary character, neither drinking,
smoking or chewing, and was a good
worker. The young man came from
Tacoma to Ketchikan about three
years ago.
Delicious mince pie at the City
Bakery. 13-tf
Have your skates sharpened at the
C street machine shop. l-4t
Congoleum Rugs, suitable for every
room in your house, can be found at
the Northwestern Hardware Co.
—11111111—Jill—1111—1111—
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Study Before Building
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you will discover how you want to fix your
house. GeUhisbook, free. Rovig, 2229 1st Av.
S. Seattle. “Better Mill work. Sash and Doors.”
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