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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1925)
THE CHEM AWA AMERICAN PAGE 4 MB. BENT’S TALK “Many people have the wrong conception of the Indian,” said George Bent, discplinarian at the Che- mawa Indian school, in an address before the Salem Rotary club this noon. “They don’t know anything about us,” he said, “except for the ideas they get from such sources as the moving picture shows.” Bent outlined the development of the Indian ed ucational system in the United States. Carlisle, Penn., was the site of the first Indian college, he said. The speaker read a legend of the Pawnee tribe, called by their neighbors the “mud lodgers,” which now numbers some 500 persons, less than a third of its membership before the time of the white man, accord ing to Bent. The tribe, he said, is divided into four clans, and has secret societies which are as careful of the new members they take in, and keep their rituals as secret, as a modern white man’s lodge. The legend read by the speaker told the Pawnee con ception of the creation of the earth and sun. The morning star, according to the legend, overcame the evening star after crossing the milky way or “path way of departed spirits,” and encountering a series of 10 obstacles, corresponding to the 10 different kinds of kinship. Following the union of the two, the sun, moon and earth were born and the human race began on the earth. The heavens, including the morning and evening star, were made by Tirawa, the creator of all things.—Oregon Statesman. [The appropriation for the Indian schools of Carlisle and Chemawa were made jointly by Congress in the year 1879, but Carlisle, being near to the seat of government and having an army barracks provided, swung into action in October, 1879, while in Oregon it was necessary to find a site for the school and then to erect temporary buildings and secure pupils. In 1879 Cbe- mawa was exceedingly remote from the Washington govern ment in a business way, but even so our great school became a reality on the 25th of February, 1880—and we still function strongly.—E ditor . ] LITERARY SOCIETIES Winona Strains of “Winona Girls have gathered here to greet you” floated into the school building halls last Friday evening when the Literary Societies were holding their meetings. Prophecy, music, jokes, readings and dialogues va ried the program which was enjoyed by all. The following officers were elected Oct. 5, 1925: President, Harriett Hill; vice-president, Anna Perat- rovich; secretary and treasurer, Grace Johnson; cheer leader, Ramona Tripp; reporter, Evelyn Whitebear; sergeant-at-arms, Emma Sexton and Mabel Bremner. After the installation of the officers our closing song ended the program. A very helpful talk was given by Mrs. Leavenworth, after which we adjourned. Excelsior The Excelsior Literary Society held its regular meeting on Friday evening, Oct. 9, 1925. Louis Dupuis, acting as chairman, called the house to order and appointed Clifford McLeod to act as secretary. After the business of the society was transacted the following program was given: Music—Saxophone trio, Reginald DePoe, Charles DePoe, and William DePoe; jokes, Solomon Fleury; story, Henry Bowker; song, Lawrence Bozeroff; card tricks, Wilson Samson; recitation, Louis Dupuis; a prophesy, Clifford McLeod; music, DePoe Brothers. The program was rendered in a most pleasing man ner. Many encores were given. Slips of paper were passed and the president ordered that the members would “do as they were told” ac cording to the demands written on the slips of paper. This brought out many talented members, and espec ially well received were John Dexter, Jesse Morgan and Walter Metrok’n. This being visitors’ evening, they were given a hearty welcome by the songs and yells of the society, after which we adjourned. DOMESTIC ART NOTES “Hello, Everybody!” Since we have settled in our new department we are all busy at work sewing on undergarments. Each member of our large class is given a chance to take a turn in Practice Teaching. Eva Bean, an active mem ber of our class, is now instructing the fifth and sixth grades in mending and the making of sewing aprons. We also want to tell you that the undergarments made by the seventh grade girls are now for sale at a very reasonable price. If the girls who made the garments want them they must report to our depart ment or our instructor, Miss Vesper, immediately. We all wish you the best there is for the entire year. DOMESTIC SCIENCE NOTES We of the tenth grade class are very much interested in dietetics work this term. We are learning about proper food combinations, amounts of food needed by different types of people, and how to provide these foods at a reasonable price. Marlieta Davis from the tenth grade, and Evelyn Ayelle from the eleventh, are gaining experience as practice teachers. Each girl is in charge of a class of prevocational girls under Miss Strout’s supervision. What the little folks lack in experience they make up in enthusiasm for their work. Judging from the way we are still receiving tomatoes to can, we must have had a large crop of them this year. We have been well supplied with them for some time, and we are canning again this week. During Miss Vesper’s illness last week her class joined ours in the Domestic Science. When we all get to gether we make quite a crowd. There was hardly room for any one to turn around.
