CUeekly 'gbemawa Einerlcan
VOL. 12 DECEMBER 24 1909, ' - NO 21
CHRISTMAS IN THE INDIAN V
SERVICE .
Washington, Dec. 18.-Several thou
sand Indian children throughout this
country are awaiting the coming of
Christmas day with just,as much eager
ness and anticipation as the average
American youngster. ;
For there is really a -Santd. Claus that
brings joy to their hearts; The Indian
children believe in Krie Kringle, but they
do not know that he lives at the North
Pole. They think h lives in Washing,
ton, that he is, in short Commissioner of
Indian Affairs Valentine,' And Commis
sioner Valentine does his best to live up
the reputation, backed up by a, paternal
government that wants the . children of
Poor Lo to have all the advantages of
civilization.'
At all the Indian reservations, Christ
mas Day is observed faithfully. There
is always a big holiday dinner to which
the grown-ups arc invited a' well as the
children ' The invitation' a:e supple
mented with a cake of soap. In this
topsy turvy land it is the parents who
entvtith their ting'rs and the Hiildsen
who are well behaved so that the youi.g
Bters eat tir-t and their' seniors, wait for
second table. Some of them, preferring
co eat at home, bring sacks into which
they dump turkey, cranberry, rice-nd
dessert. If there is coffee, they pour
that in too, on top of the other food: '
When the weather is good the child
ren who, during the winter, reside at the
school, are allowed to go home for a va
cation after the dinner. If they are
kept in school, close watch is maintain
ed, for of all things these children love
their ponies, of all places their hills, and
of all games, "hookey." In this their
parents aid them by hitching a pony
near the school yard, Suddenly a pu
pil is missing. Tie has galloped off and
a week's hunt will be . needed to locate
the truant ' -'. ' . . . ..
The IndianW'are' fond of present giv
ing. At the Tongu- River reservation,
in Montana, at one time a sister to Sit'
ting Bull was the guest of honor. De
sirous of showing their appreciation the
Indianp, after many fine - speeches,
brought in her present, ft was a dog
That evening she entertained thm at
djmner, and they all said they great'y
relished the cnnine stew
In Phoenix, Arizona, there is n school
of 700 children Hereitisvery different
)