APPENDIX E

CORRESPONDENCE OF COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF INDIAN STUDENTS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

[Letter to State Superintendents of Public Instruction in regard to admitting Indian youth into the public schools]

OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C., August 15, 1890.

HONORABLE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF THE STATE OF

It is the prime purpose of the present administration of Indian Affairs to bring the Indian schools into relation with the public schools of the several States and Territories in which Indian reservations are located as rapidly as practicable. To this end I am modeling the schools under my supervision after the public schools as far as possible.

In most of the States and Territories where there are Indians, some of them are located among the white settlers, and white settlements generally surround the reservations. I deem it extremely desirable that wherever practicable the children of Indians residing on reservations or among the whites be induced to attend the public schools.

They will learn the ways of civilization and acquire the language much more rapidly if associated with white children in the public schools than in any other way.

These Indians pay no taxes, and in many instances are either too poor or too indifferent to place their children in school. Many school districts adjacent to Indian reservations or containing Indian allotted lands are prevented from maintaining schools by the presence of the Indians who do not contribute in any way toward the support of such schools.

In order especially that the Indians who break up their tribal relations and settle upon allotted lands may have opportunities of educating their children, and as an inducement to white settlers to invite Indian children to their schools and assist them to acquire the rudiments of an English education, I would be pleased to have you inform school officers and others interested that the Indian Office is ready to enter into contracts with the school district officers, or other properly qualified representatives of school districts, for the tuition of Indian children at a rate of $10 per quarter, based upon the average attendance of Indian children during the quarter. Out of this $10 per quarter the school districts will be expected to supply necessary text-books to the Indian children. The school district will contract distinctly to give to each Indian child all the opportunities and attention which are given to white children attending the school, and, so far as possible, prevent their white playmates from ridiculing them or in any way discouraging them or preventing their progress.

The Government contributes this $10 per quarter directly for the purpose of benefitting the children of the Indians, its wards, for whose education the national Government is responsible.

The fact that this is likewise a benefit to school districts having Indian citizens or adjacent to Indian reservations must not be lost sight of. I feel that the whites of such localities are as much interested in this plan of educating the Indian children as the Indians are themselves, not only because of the money received, but especially because the Indians thus brought into the public schools and into pleasant relationship with white children will the more readily become fitted for good citizenship.

I trust that you will cooperate with this office in the work of bringing these ignorant little ones into contact with our Christian civilization through the public schools.

Very respectfully,

T. J. MORGAN, Commissioner.

APPENDIX F

REGULATIONS CONCERNING ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE OF INDIAN CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, PURSUANT TO THE ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1920

The following amendment to regulations approved February 28, 1921, is hereby issued pursuant to the act of February 14, 1920 (41 Stat. L., 408, 410), which reads in part:

Hereafter the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary to secure the enrollment and regular attendance of eligible Indian children who are wards of the Government in schools maintained for their benefit by the United States or in the public schools.

Article I: Superintendents of reservations or schools within the various States shall, in every way possible, assist State, county, or local district officers in compiling school censuses for their respective districts with a view to placing all Indian children in school and enforcing their regular attendance in accordance with the existing compulsory-education laws and regulations of the different States.

Article II: The compulsory-education laws and regulations of the different States in which Indians reside are hereby adopted as an amendment to regulations concerning enrollment and attendance of Indian children in school, authorized by the above-quoted act of February 14, 1920. Where State, county, or district officials care to do so, they may enforce such State laws and regulations as embodied herein with respect to Indian children, and superintendents and other Indian Service officials are hereby directed to cooperate with said officials to the fullest extent possible in the enforcement of said laws and regulations.

If an Indian, on the ground of wardship, raises the question of jurisdiction of State or county officials and his contention is well founded, then the superintendert or other proper officials to whom the Indian appeals shall enforce the above law and regulations referred to and authorized by the act quoted above, using Federal agencies and officials who perform duties similar to those named in the laws and regulations embodied herein.

Article III: Where Indian children, regardless of civil status, live beyond the limit of distance and thereby are exempt from attending public schools, or where any other conditions prevent State, county, or district officials from enforcing State laws and regulations, as provided in Article II hereof, and their parents refuse or fail of their own free will to place them in a suitable school, they shall attend a boarding school or schools (as far as capacity of such schools is available) designated by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Article IV: When parents fail or refuse to comply with Aricle III of these regulations, the same punishment and fines shall be imposed on them as though their residence was within the distance for compulsory attendance at a public school.

Article V: It is the purpose of this amendment to place all Indian children in school, either public or private, or in schools maintained by the United States for the benefit of Indians, as far as facilities are provided.

Any part or parts of former regulations which may in any way conflict with this amendment are hereby revoked.

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APPENDIX G

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF TREATIES MADE BETWEEN INDIAN TRIBES AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTAINING EDUCATIONAL PROVISIONS

1933

APPENDIX H

SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS: TRIBAL FUNDS

1921-$750,000.00 For support of Indian day and industrial schools, and other educational and industrial purposes, in connection therewith, other than among the Five Civilized Tribes, there shall be expended from Indian tribal funds and from school revenues arising under the Act of May 17, 1926, not more than1930-$850,000.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1931-$750,000.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1932-$881,000.00 Provided for same as 1921. $803,000.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1934 -$706,100.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1935-$597,550.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1936-$387,580.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1937-$330,820.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1938 -$312,995.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1940-$305,250.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1941-$297,750.00 Provided for same as 1921.

19421943

1944

$327,750.00 Provided for same as 1921. $334,375.00 Provided for same as 1921. -$340,190.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1945 $377,810.00 Provided for same as 1921. 1946-$370,000.00 Provided for same as 1921.

1947-$410,000.00 Support of Indian schools (tribal funds): For the support of Indian schools, and for other educational purposes, including care of Indian children of school age attending public and private schools, tuition and other assistance for Indian pupils attending public schools and support and education of deaf, dumb, or blind, physically handicapped, delinquent, or mentally deficient Indian children, there may be expended from Indian tribal funds and from school revenues arising under the Act of May 17, 1926 (U.S.C. 155), not more than

1948-$512,000.00 Provided for same as 1947. 1949 $712,000.00 Provided for same as 1947. 1950-$1,014,000.00 Provided for same as 1947.

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