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Yakima Republic
Tuesday, Nov, 8, 1955 - 3
WATER IS OUR VERY LIFE
Speakers Review Complex Indian Problems
"The Great Spirit provides food for our bodies. We eat the food and it gives us strength. But above all, God provides water for our bodies. It is our very life. It is the life of the earth. Let us drink water." 

[[image in left side of page]]
YALLUP

That invocation was simply and reverently given in the soft - spoken Yakima Indian language by a quiet - speaking man. It was a clear demonstration at last night's banquet of the Washington Conference on Indians Affairs, that the Yakimas are maintaining, with dignity, a tribal identity and at the same time are fitting into what many of the older - and some younger ones - find is yet a too strange way of life. 
Leading the invocation in Hotel Chinook was Thomas K. Yallup, the mild-mannered, long-braided vice chairman of the Yakima Tribal Council. Aside from the entertainers he alone wore beaded moccasins such as his forebears wore at important occasions. 

Politics and Law
Then followed a fast-moving sequence of speeches. Some recognized that there are complex Indian problems to confront both Indains and non-Indians now and possibly a long way in the future. Some were examples of the changes that have taken place since the original occupants ceded widespread lands to make way for new neighbors, the white settlers. 

Others revealed how they have since learned to fight with the white man's weapons of politics and law to retain landholdings they yet possess - landholdings small compared with vast acres in the long ago. 

"Quit feeling sorry for yourselves. Quit kidding yourselves and cease referring to second class citizens," was the straight-from-the-shoulder advice of Don C. Foster, area director from the Portland Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

He addressed leaders of tribes and said it was their duty to set examples. 

"All around me when I visit agency offices and the Indian people there is graciousness, intelligence and beauty. There is no need to make any kind of apology," he asserted. 

'Sharpen it Up'
"You folks have got it. All you have to do is bring it out, put it in the grindstone and sharpen it up. 

"I am keenly interested in good employes to work with the Indian rather than for them," he declared. He pointed out a dozen or so persons from various tribes, citing their special qualifications for filling difficult jobs competently.

D. E. LeCrone, the Yakima Agency superintendent and general chairman of the conference advanced the opinion that "segregation of the Indian makes him feel different." 

"I've found there's more variation within races than between races," said LeCrone. 

"One drawback is discrimination. You see it persisting to a degree. But stick it out and you will overcome it. We've a good educational system in this state. Let's set our sights higher. Let's plan into the future."

Alex Saluskin, a Yakima and representative on the Governor's Indian Council for three years, who succeeded Frank George of the Colvilles after George served in that capacity seven years, was another speaker. Said Saluskin:

Still Fighting
"We have taken over where our forefathers left off and are still fighting to hold our own. We are slowly learning to use money we borrow from the white man. 

"In the friendships we have developed among tribes and the relationships in the Valley, I believe we have very good friends who wish justice done and want to remedy the wrongs of the past. 

"They tell us 'let us not look back into the past.' But try to be an Indian awhile and see how difficult it is.

"Changes are coming so rapidly they leave us breathless. We who were once young are growing older and we have learned many things on our trips to Washington to help guide our people in trying times. When I look around and see what our young people are accomplishing in education and culture I believe we are making progess."

Garry said: 
"I think our public needs education about Indian affairs just as we need Anglo-Saxon education. I think it is healthy to meet in a conference of this nature and learn what everyone thinks."

George P. LaVatta, administrative officer, Portland office, himself a member of the Shoshone Tribe, was master of ceremonies. The entertainment, arranged and directed by Miss Daisy Bond, Toppenish, a Yakima, he pointed to as an example of the talent possessed by the people. 

Miss Bond played piano selections and introduced participants. They included Phyllis Miller, Hazel Corbett and Yvonne Musmusto, dancers in ceremonial buckskins, accompanied by Mrs. Nora Speedis on the hand drum. They gave a welcome dance. Miss Musmusto gave a Feather dance; Joseph Hill of Oklahoma, sang; Don Umtuch gave a reading, "On a Cloud I Will Ride;" Miss Corbett played a piano solo. 

Floyd H. Phillips, superintendent of the Colville Reservation which together with the Spokane Reservation under the same administrative office has an enrollment of over 5,000, was a guest. Sebastian Williams, a former superintendent, now business manager for the Tulalip tribe spoke briefly and Dave Eneas, a Yakima Tribal Councilman told a series of tales he labled "Barnyard Stories." 

Introduced as guests were Mrs LeCrone, Mrs. Henry Roe Cloud, 1950 American Mother of the Year whose late husband was paid high tribute as an inspirational leader by Foster; and Click Relander of the Yakima Dailies. 

Dual Role
Throughout yesterday afternoon's conference ran the feeling that the Indian must play a dual role. Only unceasing vigilance can keep his lands and identity. Only through cooperation with state and federal agencies can he retain his resources. Only by rigid self policing can he protect and perpetuate resources, both human and natural. 

And through the talks were woven concern over lands, especially since proposals have been advanced to terminate government control over reserves. 

Garry Speaks
Joseph R. Garry, president of the National Congress of American Indians and representative of the Kalispells summarized the issues and dangers: 

"Termination of federal supervision over Indian reservations is a threat to Indian security. Forty years from now the population of the United States will be doubled but west of the Mississippi River the population increase will be 30 times which is going to crowd us for living space. 

"If there is anyone entitled to a place to live in America, it is the America Indian. So we should all encourage the American Indian to hold onto his last grip on the United States soil, at any cost.

"Education and progress do not go hand in hand with property alienation. But it seems that every time we mention progress for the Indian, the general public thinks that he must sell his reservation. 

"The American Indian's tax freedom is not a white man's gift to the American Indian. the American Indian has bought and paid dearly for this tax exemption." 

Same Opportunities 
G. W. VanHorn, formerly of Yakima, now state supervisor of Indian education for 13 years, said his job is to see that Indian children have the same opportunities as others. The old system of 30 exclusively Indian schools has been wiped out. Funds are provided schools which have Indian students to help carry the financial burden.

Donald P. Gooding, administrative assistant for the State Department of Fisheries asked all Indian tribes to set up conservation committees and adequate enforcement to insure that salmon runs will have sufficient escapement to maintain or increase them.

He said the department has worked out arrangements with a number of tribes, reducing pressure on Chinook salmon and substituting less easily destroyed salmon such as silvers and chums. 

Gooding reviewed history of the department. It was organized by the Legislature in 1890 with four people and a $3,500 budget. Today it employs 250 and has $3 1/2 million a year from state, federal and private sources.

Modern Program
Where once enforcement was the main conservation weapon, today fishways, stream clearance, use of 19 hatcheries rearing 35 million salmon annually and research are aiding the resource-building program. Power dams are a major problem. Sixty-seven studies are being pushed by all agencies on getting adult salmon up and small migrant down over the dams. 

Indian fisheries take in excess of half a million salmon, valued at over $750,000 annually, giving the tribes a major stake in the industry. He urged their help with conservation and enforcement.

Walter Neubrech, enforcement chief for the State Department of Game, said his organization is recommending issuance of a special hunting and fishing license for Indians, without cost to them, which would eliminate need for constant proof of Indian blood. 

Help Needed
State agencies can't maintain game and sports fish without help of all citizens, he said. The steady growth in population for the West means the management problem is steadily more difficult. 

Management works, he said. In 1935, the Puget Sound drainage yielded 7,000 steelhead on hook and line. in 1954 the catch was 186,000. In 1935, 5,000 deer were taken. This year, the total will probably reach 85,000. 

He said the Indians must work for conservation. They can make real money from the hunters and fishermen. Over half a million licenses are sold annually. The sportsmen spend around $100 million. 

Neubrech urged all tribes to set up game management programs. He said state agencies are willing to help with problems which may develop. 

[[PHOTO in top middle of page]]
- Staff Photo by Holly Hollenbeck
INDIAN LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYES meet at dinner, highlight of two-day Washington Conference on Indian Affairs. From left are Joseph R. Garry, Plummer, Idaho, president of the National Congress of American Indians; Floyd H, Phillips superintendent Coleville Reservation; George P. LaVatta, administrative officer, Portland Area Officer; D. E. LeCrone, superintendent of the Yakima Agency, and Don C. Foster, area director. 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-16 19:13:45