The Indians: Yesterday and Today

The Indians — Yesterday and Today By Glen Perrins 6 6 TOT * ^^ ' ^^ ^^ • HI ! ' ' — the war whoops of yesterday have changed; they are of an entirely different nature. Today the Indians are peaceful. Their war cries have died out, and in their place have come the sweet, peaceful talk of civilization. Of course, at Spalding, Idaho, and in parts of Utah when weird ceremonies of the medicine and bear dances are carried on day and night because of tribal tradition, one hears the chants of the Red- skins and sees them bedecked in their most elaborate finery of the war- parade days. But in the main, the Indian warrior resembles his white brother. In Utah former warriors are making splendid progress at farm- ing. They are intelligent tillers of the soil and are developing into valuable citizens on the reservations. For example: The Uintah and Ouray Indian reservation lies in northeastern Utah, in what is com- monly known as the Uintah Basin. The headquarters for the ad- ministration of affairs of the Indians are located at Fort Duchesne, Utah, an abandoned military post. This reservation consists of approximately 325,000 acres of the choicest lands of this locality — 55,000 acres of these lands are de- veloped and have a first-class water right therefor. The govern- ment has provided an elaborate irrigation system for the reservation lands, — 20,000 acres of these lands have not as yet been developed. There is sufficient water for this extensive tract, and the development thereof will be taken care of in the future. Over 250,000 acres have been reserved for grazing purposes, and they include some of the best grazing lands in the Uintah mountains and the foothills nearby. There are 1,178 Indians on this reservation — the Utes consist- ing of three distinct bands: Uintahs, Whiterivers and Uncompah- gres. These bands inter-marry to quite a large extent. The principal activities of the Indians are farming and the growing of livestock. These Indians farm about 15,000 acres of land and raise some splendid crops, of which the alfalfa seed and clover seed, hay, wheat, oats and corn are the principal ones. These are prize winners at fairs and other exhibitions in which white men participate. Fruits of all kinds do well on the Uintah and Ouray Indian reservation, the temperate zone furnishing an excellent climate. Ex- cellent peaches, apples, etc., are grown. Poultry, honey-production and dairying are among the prin-

838 IMPROVEMENT ERA Aug., 1929 cipal industries. Most of the Indians are trying hard to make good in their farming work and are succeeding very well. The project farm- ers who work with the Indians and teach them how to do things, say the superintendents, are performing a great service. In our com- petition between chapters it is not the prizes that interest us so much as it is the feeling of accomplishment and the educational value. The Indian is wise. The former warriors see the advantages of becoming good farmers. They are well behaved and quiet in their dealings with the white people and are working out their own problems with the great- est success. Another example of the complete change in the Indians of to- day over yesterday: The Washakie Indians who war- whooped around the log cabins of the Utah Pioneers in the northern part of the state are now singing hymns and going to Latter-day Saint meet- ings. Their war chants are now Church songs. The Redskins come humbly with the white brothers to worship the same God. Evidence of this change was apparent in Salt Lake City at a recent conference when the Indians participated in the session pro- gram. Descendants of the Shoshone warriors journeyed to Salt Lake from Washakie, Malad Valley, Utah, where they have a ward of their own and worship as typical "Mormons." These dark-skinned people represented the Washakie ward, which has a membership of more than 100 Indians. The natives themselves conduct the aux- iliary organizations and activities. Services in the Washakie ward are conducted in the Shoshone tongue. The scriptures are studied from the English and translated by the educated members of the tribe. The tepees of the long-haired Nez Perce Indians, attending the traditional tribal medicine dance of the unconverted Redskins, are quite different from the frame white-man-like homes of most of the Indians in the Washakie ward, Box Elder county, Utah. The new houses are homes. They are erected by the Indians on the rich grazing lands of this country. Incidentally, as yet only three per cent of Utah and but four per cent of Idaho territory is under cultivation. That leaves a con- siderable space of unfenced territory in these two states alone in which the Indian might hunt and homestead. There is plenty of room in this country for the Redskins. Indians as They Appeared — Yesterday and Today What a contrast! — The appearance of the Indians of yesterday and those of today is shown in the foregoing pictures, one of Wil- liam F. Hanson and some of his Ute friends (Quinance, famous

Aug.. 1929 THE INDIANS— YESTERDAY AND TODAY 839 singer of the Utes at their ceremonials, is upon Mr. Hanson's left) in their tribal costumes. The bottom picture is of the Washakie Sunday school group. The party includes Moroni Timbimboo, superintendent of the Washakie school, and his wife, his daughters, Joanna and Hazel Timbimboo, and baby; John Pabawena, wife and papoose; James M. Pabawena and wife and Mose Neaman, snapped on the "Mormon" temple grounds. Note the modern appearance and dress of the Indians. Lift up the Voice"" Lift up the voice, 'tis God's command, Speak forth both long and loud, For all the world — yea, ev'ry land — The meek as well as proud — Must hear the Gospel message sent Once more to sons of men; Of ev'ry sin they must repent And turn to God again. In ages past the Gospel pure Was taught by Christ, the Lord. But men his truth could not endure, And strayed far from his word. They e'en forgot the form of God, And made him some great myth, But light and truth have gone abroad, Revealed by Joseph Smith. In his own image God made man And placed him on the earth, To bring to pass his mighty plan And save all souls of worth. Then lift aloud the warning voice, Fear not, though hosts combine, And e'en in sorrow you'll rejoice — The mandate is divine. David R. Lyon *Doc. and Cov. 34:6.