Volume 15 Number 3
May 1976

IN a week-long event, participants in Brigham Young University’s annual Indian Week heard talks by Morris Thompson, Bureau of Indian Affairs Commission, Chief Dan George, motion picture and television star and former chief of the Co-Salish Reserve in Canada, and Deana Jo Harragarra, Miss Indian America XXII.

The late February event was attended by nearly 500 persons, some of whom also participated in an Agriculture and Home Management Conference.

Thompson spoke on new laws shifting responsibilities to Indian tribal governments, and the job opportunities thereby created for college-trained Indians. "We’ll be waiting for your services in the months and years ahead to help implement the Indian Financial Aid Act that will foster a social and economic base on reservations as an alternative to Indians moving to urban areas," he told BYU students.

He encouraged students to look on the positive side of things, especially during America’s Bicentennial celebration. "America is the greatest nation on earth, and today in America is a positive time to be Indian. There is a great renaissance in Indian pride and comfort, and we can show this year what contributions Indians have made to the American culture through music, arts and crafts and agriculture," the Commissioner (an Athabascan from Alaska) said.

Chief George spoke twice, emphasizing that some of the Indian problems, as he sees them, stem from the acceleration of 20th century progress around native Americans. "We did not have time to take your 20th century progress and eat it little by little and digest it. It was forced feeding from the start, and our stomach turned sick."

Chief George pointed out that Indians want integration with dignity; to be welcomed as equals. He indicated that they cannot succeed on white norms, however, but need specialized help in education in the formative years and assured job opportunities later, otherwise, our students will lose courage and ask, "What is the use of it all?"

Miss Harragarra, a Kiowa-Otoe from Yukon, Oklahoma, emphasized that she is not only proud of her Indian heritage, but is encouraging all Indians to know their tribal traditions and still live in a modern world. In her talks around the country, she introduces Kiowa legends which teach life principles. Traditionally Kiowas learn legends from the grandparents, and one which she learned from her grandmother, Kirchenda Toyebo, concerns "do unto others as—you would have them do unto you."

Another speaker at the annual event was John Maestas, chairman of BYU’s Department of Indian Education. He indicated that although openings for teachers have declined significantly throughout the country, the demand for Indian educators has increased. The BYU program enrolls 500 Indian students, and of these 65 are training as teachers.

On a national basis, Mr. Maestas said that about 3,000 teachers are needed yearly to educate Indian children on the reservations and in border towns. As relatively few Indian teachers are available, most openings go to Anglo instructors. "About one-third of these teachers resign each year, primarily because of limited social and cultural opportunities," he observed.