22
THE
CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
California has about twenty thousand Indians, distributed into thirty-
six different counties, 257 bands, 10,000 of whom have not come under
the influences of either the Protestants or Catholics. There are about
4000 Indian children of school age; 25ÖO have no school privileges at all.
The validity of the state law has been established in the securing of a
number of district schools for these people.
A vigorous campaign is now being waged to provide school privi
leges for the native Redmen, either by the admission of the Indian
children to the white school already established, or by the establishment
of a separate school by the formation of a new school district as shall
seem wise.
The Indian Board of Co-operation has as it honorary president,
David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford Uuiversitv. The president
is G. F. Kengott, investigator oflndian conditions at Harvard univer
sity.”
P R IN C E S S T S I A N I N A
Princess Tsianina Redfeather is a native of Muskogee, Okla., on the
Creek Indian reservation. Her mother was a Creek, and her father was
a Cherokee, but afterwards became a Creek in tribal matters through
marriage with her mother. “ Redfeather” was educated at the Creek
school at Hufala, Okla., and attended that school up to the eighth
grade, meanwhile studying the piano.
It was found after she left school, that she had a remarkably natural
voice, and being ambitious to sing in grand opera she decided to study
voice culture seriously. She is now in Denver studying with John C.
Wilcox, and is making rapid advancement.
Princess Tsianina is a striking looking girl, all Indian in feature and
stature. She assumes the native dress, even on the street, at the re
quest of her mother who asked it on her deathbed. She has many
friends among the Denver musicians as she is modest, sweet and unas
suming. If she maintains this attitude, and works hard there is no
reason why she should not attain success.
Her recital of Indian songs at the Wilcox studios recently was most
successful. She sang Cadman’s “ Indian Songs” in true native spirit,
and with musical understanding. The press of Denver praised her
progress highly.
It is rumored that she might appear with Charles Wakefield Cadman
in some of his folklore recitals next season, as he is much interested in
her future prospects.—The Scherzo.