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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1916)
4 THIS CHEM AW A AM ERICAN cooking utensils, and other articles of domestic use. It would be worth while, it would be great, if we could lift the In dian out of his uninformed condition and induce him to see that the natural and beautiful love he has for his children will not keep them alive and well and joyous unless supplemented by a rational use of food, clothing, fresh air, and pure water! If Government aid is necessary to bring health out of disease and squalor, it should not be withheld, but good results if obtained will scarce ly continue unless the Indian parents exchange indolence for industry and are awakened to the use and beauty of personal and environing cleanliness. This campaign for better babies, for the rescue of a race, calls for re doubled energy and zeal throughout the Service, for it means personal work and tireless patience. It is a well-nigh stupendous task, but will be a glorious one if we can make successful headway. I believe that the high aspirations and missionary spirit generally prevailing among our field employees are a guaranty of substantial and lasting achievements, and I hope and believe we shall have the quickened co-operation of all denominational agencies, religious missionaries and mission schools having special interest in the Indian’s spiritual welfare and wdiose priceless labors, luminant with self-sacrifice and religious fervor, have done so much for the red man. We shall all, I am sure, exert an irresistible union of effort. The educational propaganda against disease must, of course, be steadily increased and strenghtened. Our Indian schools, where so many of the rising generations are assembled, are well organized and should be a mighty instrumentality for health and higher ideals of life. In their education of girls I hope to see added emphasis given to such subjects as home nursing, child welfare and motherhood, the sanatation, arrangement, and management of the home, and that nothing reason able shall be spared to fit every Indian girl for intelligent houskeeping and for attractive home-making. There is among the Indians a marked and tender affection for their children, but too often the wife, the mother, is regarded and treated as the burden bearer. I wish we might see this habit overcome, for it is distinctly barbaric. I want to see developed and prevalent in every In dian school from the least to the largest that modern and truly chival rous spirit that recognizes and respects the sacredness of womanhood. I should like to have every Indian boy leave school with this lofty and just sentiment fused into his character as the picture in the porcelain, because of the deep and exquisite power it will have to bless his future home W’ith health and happiness. While, therefore, this appeal aims primarily at the safety and health
