CHEM AWA<)AMERIC AN
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Printed at Chemawa, Oregon, and Devoted to the Interests of Indian Education
VOL. XXXIV
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1933
CHEMAWA CLOSES SUCCESSFUL YEAR
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By J ames T. R yan , 'Superintendent
The Salem Indian School has just finished its most
successful year, having graduated 72 students and hav
ing placed forty of them in satisfactory positions. The
placement of these children at first looked extremely
difficult because of the economic situation but each
graduate has proven to be an excellent advertisement
resulting in the placement of other students.
The thirty vocations constituting the practical edu
cation provided at Chemawa are mostly well chosen to
‘fit persons for activities in which there is opportunity.
Welding is one occupation which has grown faster
than men have been trained to carry on the work.
Training for men cooks is another field which seems
to offer unusual opportunity in the northwest. The
boys who formerly have taken auto mechanics have
changed their training desire to that of car servicing,
which field offers a much better opportunity for place
ment here.
Chemawa has made a definite effort to provide train
ing which fits the aptitudes and abilities of its students,
but the school realizes in the long trek of advancement
as students progress in life many changes will be made
by individuals as opportunities open up. This in no
way lessens the value of the education which has been
provided, for education is always given with the in
tention of opening the way to success. To attempt
to provide vocational education so perfect that it would
eliminate the necessity of self-education after employ
ment is absurd as is also any idea of training persons
so that they will adhere to a specific vocation through
out life. The advent of new conditions, new interests
or avocations may interfere with such a scheme. The
problem in the life of graduates is initial employment.
After they have once secured such a position and have
become self-sustaining, a new confidence is born and
much of their fear is vanished. Probably no one thing
has interfered with the progress of young Indian man
hood and womanhood as much as failure on initial
employment fully to fit into the picture. This is a
result partly of inadequate vocational preparation but
just as important as the need for proper adjustment
in other ways. If the individual is to remain the “Si
lent Indian”, who takes no part in conversations, he
will find it hard to fit in even though his intelligence
may be high. Conversation is a means of getting ac
quainted. Chemawa students soon overcome this ti
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midity because of the friendly spirit here and in Salem.
For with this improvement in vocational preparation
a new interest has been born, an interest based on a
feeling of mastery that they will be able to compete at
the white man’s game. This in itself is a remedy for
many past problems of Indian education.
COMMENCEMENT, 1933
Chemawa is almost deserted again after closing its
53rd year of service to the young Indians of the north
west hy graduating the biggest and best trained group
of students in its history. The commencement activ
ities were impressive and will remain in the memories
of those who participated and observed for many years
to come. Chemawa and the graduates were especially
fortunate this year in the choice of speakers. No
graduating group ever listened to more fitting or helpful
words than those uttered from the platform of the
auditorium by the speakers this year.
The first event or. the Commencement program was
the annual Senior supper at which all the members of
the graduating class were royally entertained by the
junior girls at the Wigwam. This was on the evening
of Thursday, May 18. On the following afternoon
Chemawa defeated Molalla in baseball, 6-7.
That
evening all attention was given to another annual
event, the Senior Night. At this program the law
yers, prophets, musicians, poets and wits of the grad
uating class held forth. The regular bi-weekly dance
was enjoyed on Saturday night.
On Sunday, May 21, the Baccalaureate exercises
were given. Rev. Father Alcuin, o. s. b ., president
of Mount Angel college, gave the address. The au
dience of young people, their parents, faculty and
friends sat in hushed attention as he laid down the
principals of right living and thinking. He made a
wonderful impression on the students and did much
good by his visit. The program as a whole was fine.
It is reprinted below:
Processional________________________________________ Orchestra
America the Beautiful {/¡ales') ---------
School
Invocation
Suite {Gluck)_________________________________
Orchestra
Anthem—Hark, Hark My Soul (Shelly) ------------------------ Choir
Address________________________ Rev. Father Alenin, o. S. B.
Chemawa Song________________________________________ School
Benediction
Recessional________________________________________ Orchestra
(Continued on page 4)