dian woman is industrious and with her native artistic abilities and her
artistic tastes she is enabled to use that industry with telling effect. I
am sure, I know, that the Indian woman can compete with the woman
of any race in any industry if she but will.
In this respect she is not at all different from the white woman. Both
the Indian and the white woman must direct and apply her mind, her
time, her industry, her energies, and only by keeping them so directed
and applied does she make any industry and occupation a success.
I fully agree with Mr. Gabe E. Parker, who in a letter to you dated
September 1, 1914, says: “ . . . . human growth comes from within.
The Indian must be permitted and required to exercise himself,” and
just as it is time that he must come to a realization of his abilities to
compete with the white man, just so is this, now, the time when
sh e -th e Indian woman—must come to the realization of her abilities to
compete with the white woman of any race.
Thanking you for sending me your circular letter No. 896 and the
copy of Mr. Parker’s letter to you, and hoping for us all the greatest
response to the opportunities that your interest and splendid work have
placed before us, I am,
Faithfully yours,
M r s . M a r ik
L. B o t t in e a u B a l d w in .
(The author of the above letter, Mrs. Baldwin, is an Ojibway Indian
of the Reindeer Clan. She is an efficient employee in the Indian Bureau
and recently graduated with honors from thé Washington College of law.
Mrs. Baldwin’s success is an indication of what Indian women may do
for themselves and her interest in industrial accomplishments as shown
in this letter is earnestly commended to all Indian women and girls.)
I have read with care and great interest your circular letter No. 896
on Indian Fairs.
The ownership and intelligent use of land are indeed fundamental
economic principles. You have struck the fountain from which must
flow individual and national freedom from ignorance and poverty.
I have heard you say that you have no “ set policy” . May I venture
to say that you have what is far better: You have a “ soul” in your ac
tivities. I am impressed with the fact that your visions of the Indian is
not en masse but that it is broad enough to contemplate and comprehend
the individual. What is all this work about? What is the conclusion
of the whole matter? What is the conception of the future? What is
the goal? If the whole business is not focalized in the development of
a cheerful, competent and self-supporting individual, very little of real
value to the Indian or the nation will result. It must not be forgotten