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Show Church Guidance Program Leads Local Indians Into Happier Life By Wm, H. Manning Indian Branch President A year and half ago the Indian In-dian village seemed to he a sore spot in our community. The dwellers there had fallen into a dissolute condition. Drunkenness, fighting and disturbing the peace was a weekly occurance. Indians from outlying reservations came In each week end to have a spree In the village. Police records showed arrests and heavy fines for such misdemeanors. Our Indians In-dians were social and moral out-easts, out-easts, their lives seemed hopelessly hope-lessly frustrated. On Sunday morning, Nov. 1, 1957. a branch of the church was organized by the Cedar Stake Presidency, nd a corps of dedicated dedi-cated officers and teachers were chosen to lead this seemingly lost people. This movement was apparently what the Indians had been waiting for, as a member said, "All we need is some one to lead us and we will follow. You help us and we will do everything you ask us to do." What a pathetic crip that was for some one to throw out a life line to rescue them from a condition condi-tion they did not have the power pow-er from which to save themselves; them-selves; what a deep desire was expressed for a better life which they themselves could not attain. As soon as the branch activities activi-ties started, the little band turned turn-ed their faces to the sun. Drinking Drink-ing and smoking disappeared from among the church members. mem-bers. From a people who had held out their hands for alms, they became contributors to their church for the maintenance of their organization. It is almost unbelievable that such a transformation trans-formation could take place in the matter of a few months. Jay Benson, one of the leaders, said recently, speaking before his peo-pie, peo-pie, "We are a changed people, our family life has been changed. chang-ed. Life now seems wonderful. We now have friends and people seem to love us, we arc net afraid any more. This could not happen hap-pen on a reservation, it could only happen in Cedar City." Grant Pete, another fine young man said, "Before the Branch started we were walking in the dark and most of us were stumbling stumb-ling and falling. Now it seems that we have come out of the darkness into the light of day, now we can see our way.". These people, once forgotten, are, by their efforts rapidly becoming be-coming an acceptable people and winning the respect and good will of many of the people of Cedar City. Two instances show tht they do have friends who wish to help them. A popular club of young women, the Kl- wanl-Anns, had noticed that the little Indian Childen had no play ground and played all summer in the dirt fills across the bridge north of the city. The hearts of these young women were touched touch-ed and through their officers Mrs. Willard Stratton and Mrs. Dex Cowley, presented the village vil-lage to pay for sturdy swings and gliders. Recently the young women of the Omega chapter of the Beta S!ma Phi, whose president is Mrs. Donna Cooley, made a gift of $25.00 to pay for the making of teeters for the playground. A basketball court is needed for the two Indian teams to practice prac-tice on, which will be used as a tennis court, 'also for volley ball and a place for summer dancing. This would make an area for wholesome recreation so much needed by the Indian people. Speaking for the Indian people, William II. Manning, president of the Indian Branch said, "It warms the hearts of us all to see our Indian people rise up to desire some of the good things that enrich a community. We are deeply grateful to these wonderful young women who have given from their hearts that these recreational facilities can be offered to a deserving little lit-tle community. |