Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri: Edited with Notes and Biographical SketchDenig, Edwin Thompson
History
Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri: Edited with Notes and Biographical Sketch
Denig, Edwin Thompson
Assiniboine Indians; Indians of North America -- Missouri River Valley
These grown Indians are too ignorant and obstinate to think, too lazy
to work, too proud to be instructed, and their formed habits too savage
and firmly rooted to give way before the meek truths of the gospel.
All such attempts must prove abortive; it is anticipating by an age
what should be their present course among the children. We would say
let all the grown generation die as they have lived, though before that
event took place many of them would have the satisfaction of seeing
their children in comparatively happy and improved conditions. This is
the only right beginning. Bring them up in the proper way, impressing
moral truths and industrious habits when young and fostering the same
in maturity. The Government can do this, should do it, and would be
extending a charity to a part of the human race but few sympathize
with, and opening a way for the remnant of aborigines to become a
useful and intelligent people. We repeat it, there are no objections
to this among the Indians. Proffers of the kind would be readily
acceded to by any tribe, even the Blackfeet, and all sensible traders
would assist. It would not benefit them, might perhaps hurt their
business some, and would in the end lead to its discontinuance. But
this is of minor consideration. We are confident that establishments
on the principles we have suggested would succeed and answer great
ends. But they must begin with the children as their foundation, not
merely for the observances of religious duties, without combining
active agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a judicious choice of
mechanical arts.
It does not follow that the Indians should abandon their hunting
altogether to accomplish these ends. Those who wished to hunt could
still do so, as they now do at Red River, and when hunting failed,
as it eventually must when white emigration settles the country, the
Indians would find themselves in a position to live fully if not more
comfortably than before. Some of the money of the United States could
not be applied to a better purpose. One-half of the amount Congress
expends on the repairs of some old bridge would be sufficient to rear
and educate several hundred children. Indeed, after the boys and
girls had attained the age of 12 to 15 years they could more than
support themselves by their labor. Abstruse studies or extensive
mental acquirements should not be striven for except with the view of
providing teachers or physicians of their own nation, but generally
the rudiments of English education, such as is taught the peasantry
of England, would answer better. Too much education would produce an
unwillingness if not an inability to work.
Physicians of their own people would tend more to banish their
superstitions and encourage these institutions than all the preaching
in the world. Correct medical knowledge would be apparent in its
effects, and be the greatest acquirement in the eyes of the Indian.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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