The Chemawa American, January 09, 1929, Image 1

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1 1 1929
CHEMAWA
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W ednesday, Ja n . 9, 1929
T H E L A N D I N G OF T H E T S I M S H I A N S A T
M ETLAKATLA, A LA SK A
By ROLAND BOOTH, Chemawa Student
The following story is as my father, Silas S. Booth,
told it, to me in explanation of why every year on
August the seventh there is a celebration held on
Metlakatla Island. In British Columbia there is a
town or settlement known as ‘‘Old Metlakatla.” The
tribe of Indians living there is known as the Tsimshi-
ans tribe.
In 1888 for some reason this tribe or at least a part
of it either had to hunt a new location, or possibly
they thought it best to do so. This I can not give as
a fact, but I do know that a Missionary, William Dun­
can, who came from England and lived among the
Tsimshians, helped them to find a new home.
He and a representative of the tribe went to Ottowa,
Canada, to secure land either as a gift or as a purchase
from the British Columbia government.
The answer they received wab, “ Dog is dog, bird is
bird, but the Tsimshians are nothing. There is not a
square foot of land to be gotten by them in any way.”
Now it seemed that their trouble in obtaining land
for a home would never end. They did not know
what to do, but they did know that they had to provide
for themselves. They were very much discouraged,
but good William Duncan cheered them up and gave
them hopes that there was a way for a people so earnest
and so hard-working to get a home. He now decided
to try the United States government.
Again he elected a representative and they set off
for Washington, D. C. On arriving at that city they
were welcomed as guests and were received by both
the President and Congress.
The President listened to what they had to say. Con­
gress was very busy that year, but even that body heard
what they wanted. The presence of theTsimshian so
interested them that the Congressmen soon decided to
help them. William Duncan told them plainly that
they came to buy and not to beg if the United
States had any land to sell.
The House suggested that the little island known
as Annette Island, lying southwest of Alaska, be given
to these people as. a home. The Senate also passed on
the act, adding that all around the shore line 3,000
feet of water line be reserved as water belonging to
said island.
No. 11
They returned with the glad news, but they waited
until Congress adjourned before they moved on be­
cause a Congressman wanted to be present when they
landed.
And sure enough, that landing was on August 7th,
1888. It must have been something like the landing
of the Pilgrims. They all gave thanks to the United
States and to God» The Congressman who went with
them raised the American flag as a pledge that this
island now belonged to the Tsimshians.
The pilgrims of course had no Congressman, neither
had they an American flag, bttt they did have a home
and a God.
The new town was named Metlakatla, which is the
Indian name for channel.
Today the town is modern. The streets as well
as the houses are lighted with, electricity.
In 1918 the town and its people suffered a great loss
in the death of its missionary, but his name and his
good deeds will be told and retold to all who come to
live on that island for many years yet in the future.
T H E W E A L T H IE S T N A V A JO
By CHAS. A. WISH ART, Chemawa Student
In a picturesque valley about fifty miles northwest
of Gallop, New Mexico, lives Chee Dodge, a dominating
citizen and political boss. He is the John D. Rocke­
feller of the Navajo tribe.
Chee is a very unique personality and is well known
all over Northeastern Arizona. He is a man of about
sixty years of age, tall and straight as an arrow, hand­
some, strong featured and his hair is worn “ A la Elbert
Hubbard.” He is very adaptable to his environment.
Besides being a native Navajo he some times appears
as a typical cowboy, in his broad-brimmed sombrero,
bright silk handkerchief around the neck, leggins, bat­
winged chaps, fancy riding boots, and a fancy cartridge
belt and holster containing a very fine pearl-handled
gun.
Chee, his wife and family prefer to live in the open
spaces, cooking by a camp fire, and sleeping under
the stars; He knows the hygiene and sanitation of the
rare, pure atmosphere of Arizona. Even the white
people who go there to teach his tribesmen do the
same -thing if possible. Chee has a beautiful -stone
house with all of the latest household equipment,
(C ontinued on page 4)
1929