The Chemawa American, November 07, 1941, Image 1

ìliììlDWì) jlìì)W!»
A Publication Devoted to the Progress of Indian Education
VOLUME XXXXII
CHEMAWA. OREGON, NOV. 7, 1941
Indian Achievement Medal Awarded
to George P. Lavatta
On September 26 in Chicago, Ill., George P.
LaVatta, three-quarter-blood Shoshone Indian
of the Fort Hall reservation in Idaho, was pre­
sented the 1941 Indian Achievement medal.
Presentation of the award was made by the Coun­
cil Fire at its annual American Indian Day ob­
servance.
Mr. LaVatta was graduated from the Carlisle
Indian school in 1913. He worked for the Union
Pacific railroad for twelve years for which he
was presented the Meritorious Service button.
In 1929 he left the railroad to accept a position
in the Indian Service. At present he is Organ­
ization Field Agent for the Indian Service in the
Pacific Northwest, having his headquarters in
Portland, Oregon. His work consists of help­
ing Indian tribes of the Northwest set up ma­
chinery for writing constitutions and holding
tribal elections.
In speaking of Mr. LaVatta’s work, John
Collier, the Commissioner, said, “He has made
rich and varied contributions to the Indian peo­
ple and to the service. His character and per­
sonality have contributed a great deal to the cause
of inter-racial friendship. ’ ’
Dr. Franklin Thompson of Willamette
University is Chapel Speaker
On Sunday, Oct. 19, Dr. Thompson of Wil­
lamette University at Salem, Oregon, gave a talk
to the students of Chemawa.
At the beginning of the Chapel program the
orchestra played a musical selection and Lillian
Havard sang a special number. Supt. Jackson
then introduced Dr. Thompson.
Dr. Thompson’s talk was based on the subject
of the war situation. One particular thing he
said that was greatly enjoyed by the students
was, “First Americans, America First.” He
also told of some of the many different parts of
the world he had visited. He stressed the im­
portance of cooperation when he gave an exam­
ple on football and basketball. The lack of
cooperation would cause failure in any thing that
needed it.
NUMBER TWO
At the close of the program the mixed chorus
gave their version of “Lo How a Rose E’er
Blooming” and ‘Carry Me Back to Old Virginny. ’
On the same night the seniors gave a reception
for Dr. Thompson at which Superintendent and
Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Scheinost, Miss Cruise, Miss
Clark, Mr. and Mrs. James, Mr. Mason, Mr. and
Mrs. Larsen, Misses Orva and Selma Hoffman,
Mr. Joe Medicine Crow, and Mrs. Black were
present. After refreshments, the senior president,
Floyd Tyler, presented to the audience Kathryn
Jones who sang a song and Cecilia Charley who
gave an Indian Legend.
Twelve Years Presents Many Changes
to Former Student
A gentleman who beamed continually at hav­
ing the opportunity of visiting “ole Chemawa”
for the first time in twelve years on Oct. 24, was
Archie Demmert, *29, of Klawock, Alaska.
Mr. and Mrs. Demmert started a department
store in Klawock and they were combining a vaca­
tion and buying trip which will also take them
to San Francisco.
Mrs. Demmert, who is a graduate of the Shel­
don Jackson school in Sitka, was experiencing
her first trip in the states. Archie also had the
opportunity of visiting the various departments
of the school and reminisced with many of his for­
mer teachers. He said that there were about
fifty loyal sons of the shool in Klawock and
whenever a few get together their thoughts drift
back to the “good ole days” at Chemawa.
Miss Hoffman Transferred
Miss Selma Hoffmann who has been our very
efficient commercial teacher has been transferred
to the Commercial Dept, of Haskell Institute
in Lawrence, Kansas. Miss Orva Hoffman, li­
brarian , will accompany her sister and her mother,
Mrs. Hoffmann to Kansas.
The staff and the students regret seeing Miss
Hoffmann, her sister, and her mother leave our
campus and we all sincerely hope they will be
happy in their new home in Kansas.
Freedom is for brave men, slaves always crave
security.