Three California Writers:

What Value Is Education To The Indian Of Today
by Samuel J. Rice

Edited by: Cindy Beck

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• Three California Writers Introduction
• Three California Writers Table of Contents

WHAT VALUE IS EDUCATION TO THE INDIAN OF TODAY

             The Indian, native American citizen, but not a citizen by congressional measure is not a voter, is incompetent under the education he has received through government aid.

            Chief supervisor of education in Indian service asserts - that over 80 per cent of those who enter the high schools never get through - that over 3 per cent of those who graduate from high school ever enter a college or university.  Whether there is [sic] provisions for this, but under most appalling restrictions the Indian has lived in his home he has had no chance to progress materially and financially.  Therefore unable to finance for education of his children, who desires higher education.  Under such circumstances in many instances the Indian student abondons his high [school] studies to go out to make a living for himself and old dependable [dependent] folks.  Otherwise the Indian youth is ambitious, for the fact that, the best part of his education and success is credited to his own personal efforts.

            Just how competent they have become in their affairs and in affairs of their government, can best be determined through their various organizations throughout the country.  As the government officials and public sentiments have expressed, “The only salavation [sic] of the Indian has is through education.”

            The majority have come to this.  But the party that says the Indian is incompetent, is not giving itself honorable credited, but implicating itself for waste of public money.

            Education, and the laudable ambition which accompanied it enterprise and a desire to achieve distinction and a competenacy, aided by the record, and accomplishment in educational line, in daily life have stimulated and brightened the vision of the modern Indian, and his perceptive power, and put each upon the alert to discover something for the good and convenience of the – their societies - communities, and their amicable government.

            With books came a more general education - finally common schools.  Schools and colleges do not increase human capacity, but they do make mental exercise more general, and hence help to develop the capacity already possessed by individuals.  As knowledge become more general and studies more common the generations possessing these have a decided advantage over previous generations; not only in that there are now a thousand thinkers to one formerly to sharpen, and stimulate each other with suggestions, but also in that each of the later generations has through books the combined experience of the past (erratic life) in addition to his own has visions.

            If then, we have proven that the mental capacity of today is not greater than that of the past generation, but probably less, how shall we account for it.  Who is responsible?

            We trust we shall be able to show this reasonably and in harmony with general government.

            This knowledge and discoveries which are now proving so valuable in the efforts of the Indian through organizations, and which are considered proof that this is the “Bra[i]n Age,” are really very modern and competency.

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