THE CHEM AWA AMERICAN
PAGE 4
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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.