ResidentialSchool8Jan1909N04P0045

CONVENTION APPROVES OF NEW INDIAN POLICY

Indian Department's Proposal to Establish Residential and Non-Residential Schools for Education of Indians Meets With Favor Among Alberta Workers-- Permanent Association Organized.

That the Indians and half-breeds of Alberta should have the assistance of a provincial organization for their development  and education was the conclusion arrived at by the convention which closed its deliberations on Thursday in the Y. M. C. A. in this city. There has accordingly been formed an organization to be known as "The Alberta Convention of the Friends of the Indian and Half-Breed Population."
The following officers have been elected: President, Ven. Archdeacon J. W. Tims, D. D., Calgary; secretary-treasurer, Arthur Barnes, Red Deer; executive committee, J. A. Markle, Red Deer; John McDougall, D. D., Calgary; Dr. Lafferty, Calgary; Bishop Holmes, Athabasca, with a vacancy to be reserved for a representative of the Roman Catholic Church, to be appointed when secured.

Wednesday Session.

At the afternoon and evening session on Wednesday the need of a provincial organization to assist the Indian department of the Dominion government was presented by those actively engaged in Indian work.
Miss K. M. Laing presented a report on the Indian Hospital at Morley, Alberta, giving an account of her experiences during the past two years.
Rev. T. Ferrier, of Brandon, superintendent of Indian school and hospitals for the Methodist church in the Dominion, spoke on "The Indian Educational Problem." As an introduction to his remarks he read an historical review of the work from the pen of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs for the Dominion. He also gave a lengthy quotation from a document  presented by the superintendent to the Advisory Board of Indian Education. This board is the result of united action on the part of the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Canada. It is composed of two representatives from each church, and through them all matters of business in connection with the education of the Indian for the past twelve months has been transacted. The advisory board and the Dominion government have been negotiating regarding a new educational policy for the Indians, setting forth two types of school, known as residential and non-residential.
From the manner in which this lucid explanation was received it was apparent that the convention was in harmony with the new policy of the government's Indian Department.

Resolutions Adopted.

Arthur Perry, farm instructor at Hobema, gave some experiences in the work there and expressed deep interest in the welfare of the Indian people.
Rev. J. A. Sellar, B. A., of Saddle Lake, contributed some interesting facts in connection with the educational work there. He also gave an account of the erection of a new church at Saddle Lake.
Mr. McKetterick was called on and spoke at some length on the needs of Indians in this province.
The discussion on the address regarding the Indian educational problem was resumed on Thursday morning and the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Moved by Arthur Barner, principal of the industrial school at Red Deer, and seconded by Rev. John Matheson, principal of the Indian board school at Onion Lake, that:  "Whereas this convention has been made cognisant regarding, and has a clear conception of the proposition of the Indian department, as presented in the document dated April 24th, 1908, and addressed to the members of the advisory board in education of Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and is also conversant wit the history that led to the formation of this board and the unrest which brought forth the above proposition.
"And whereas this convention is pleased with the two types of schools as described in this document;
"And whereas we believe the said schools will meet the needs of the Indian children generally throughout the Dominion about as well as any policy that could be adopted.
"Be it resolved we express our belief that on account of the large areas covered by our reserves, especially in the southern part of this province, and hence the scattered condition of the homes of the people, together with their nomadic habits, a condition is created for which this new type of day school will not at all adequately provide for some time to come, and that this convention would respectfully call the attention of the advisory board and the Indian Department to the great necessity of retaining the Protestant residential school on the Blackfoot reserve. And further, we are of the opinion that residential schools will meet the requirements of this province better than any kind of day schools."
Rev. John Matheson delivered an impressive address on his work at Onion Lake, referring especially to the lack of provision for the education of the children of the half-breed population in this province.

Residential Schools.

In this connection the convention adopted the following resolutions on motion of Dr. McDougall, seconded by Rev. John Matheson, resolved:
"That this convention, while called to further the interests of the Indian peoples of this province and vicinity along lines of industry, education and Christianity also feel that there is imperative need that measures should be taken by this convention to bring before the proper authorities the necessity of securing the privileges of the residential and other schools under the patronage of the Dominion government and various churches for the half-breed peoples of this country."
In the course of time a pamphlet will be issued giving a detailed account of the proceedings of the convention.

Extracted by J. Kynman 2007-06-03