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Show Minneapolis Delegates Unite In Effort ffo Solve Backlog Of Indian Problems jjTi Vote Unanimously For 10-Point Program To, S Govern States' Role In Indian Affairs nM i Representatives f;om Utah j,'jd nine other states troubled an' Indian problem met -B' tst week at Minneapolis, and tsolved unification in an effort C achieve a long overdue solu-IGL-ion of Indian problems. j At the meeting, called by governor Luther W. Youngdahl. if Minnesota, authorized dele-jates dele-jates from the ten states draft-7 draft-7 id a general plan of organiza-jon, organiza-jon, which will include all of he fourteen states directly cori-E cori-E terned with bringing the 100-Ef 100-Ef fear-old Indian question to a "satisfactory conclusion. I H. C. Shoemaker, chairman f the Public Welfare commis- Ouon, and C. L. Fretwell, Uintah Basin publisher, represented Utah. Statements by Dr. John R. "-Nichols, U. S. Commissioner of i Indian Affairs, replaced Wed-1 hiiiesday by Dillon S. Myer, who presented the Federal view to If, the conference, provided an understanding un-derstanding for the resolutions ' later adopted. Dr. Nichols emphasized em-phasized that all Indians born 61 within the United States are citizens, and have been since legislation establishing their citizenship ci-tizenship became effective in 1924. He explained that the In--'dian, as a person, is not a ward """of the Federal government, except ex-cept in regard to liquor. Ward-iship, Ward-iship, he said, is limited to In-.dian In-.dian property. , The delegates, voting for Tut their respective states, were unanimous in agreeing upon the 10-point principles which will direct state participation in In-dlExiian In-dlExiian affairs.' .They are: . ! "CI) Indians,, as a group and iKJs individuals, are hedged in rpy many restrictions which have ' been imposed upon them for many years by the U. S. Department Depart-ment of Interior and its Indian gervice. (2) There is danger of h self-perpetuating bureaucracy (n the Indian Service. (3) It Should be the purpose to work quickly toward integrating the fndian population into the general gen-eral population of the country. (4) Indians should attend public pub-lic schools wherever possible, pnd be encouraged to choose, Snd train for vocations that will furnish decent livelihoods. In none of his outside contacts should he be discriminated against. "(5) Indians should be encouraged en-couraged to leave reservations they so desire, without fear of losing their tribal and band fights. (Dr. Nichols told the tonference that an Indian may leave a reservation without sacrificing sac-rificing his claims.) (6) Law enforcement en-forcement is an acute problem n and off the reservations, and till authority should eventually e invested in the states. (7) In-uans In-uans should be permitted to wn property as other citizens, nd enjoy the fruits of their wrr labors, rather than work-"g work-"g under a communal system ? operation on many reserva-wns. reserva-wns. (8) The 125-year system of raternalism by the federal gov-Tnrnent gov-Tnrnent over the Indians has Jifled their initiative and made hem apathetic. "(9) Indians must take an ac-lve ac-lve part and help share the noral responsibilities of work-jig work-jig toward a satisfactory end to heir problems: In this respect hey should be afforded the op-Wunity op-Wunity of deciding their own and rights, whereas band 'ghts have become a problem "rough the federal government's govern-ment's disregard 'for them. (10) f s realized that the Indian jervice cannot drop its ward-nip ward-nip at once, but any program Wst work toward ending it as uickly as possible." Conference members adopted resolution calling for the or-. or-. mzation of a permanent inter-( inter-( rate Indian council, with a lembership of a permanent in--r-state Indian council, with membership made up of the L i es having large Indian ovulations. The governor of acn i of these states has been , . with a request through ie office of Governor Young-lih Young-lih .,hat two delegates be ap-ointed ap-ointed by each state represent- ian f which must be an In- pj,!!f ,M,innesota governor was 8 guested to call a meeting of council before April 14, to rhirS. -an inter -state body f ho WlU take UP the business 8Toeramn?ering out an Indian nti t ln accordance with state han Feservation needs, rather ed v P5eral Plan that, admit- YarrtU- d caused the federal b hort ip ,ver Indians to fall t uu of public expectations. 0& The following resolutions were adopted, setting forth, generally, gen-erally, the objectives of the inter-state Indian council: (1) That the council "consider the various aspects of the Indian In-dian problem. (2) Act jointly on items of common interest, namely name-ly the Indian problem as it applies ap-plies to each state. (3) Exchange information among the states. "(4) Cooperate with the national na-tional Congress, lederal and local lo-cal government agencies interested inter-ested in the American Indian. (5) Within a reasonable time, and after meeting with Indian and federal government representatives, repre-sentatives, recommend to the governors proposed legislation for submission to Congress. (6) Consider such matters as the council may deem advisable." Conference members expressed ex-pressed the opinion that if the power of the governors of 14 states is behind proposed Indian legislation, and that all Indian legislation is made the subject of scrutiny by the inter - state council, a positive program can be developed; and the debris, left by 4,000 laws affecting Indians, In-dians, cleared away. |