AMERICAN INDIANS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 20, 6 October 1874, Page 248

AMERICAN INDIANS.

(Communicated.) A very interesting article about the Natives (Indians) of Canada (an important colony in America under the rule of Queen Victoria) appears in a late American paper. Before, however, noticing the article in question, a few remarks, from the personal recollection of the writer of this paper, about the Natives of that country may not be uninteresting to the Maoris of New Zealand. The Indians are fond of shooting and fishing, and as the wild birds are very plentiful, and the waters abound with excellent fish, they have ample oppor-

tumties of gratifying their tastes, and, at the same time, of earning money, as they can easily dispose of their game to the white men. They do not build their canoes in the way the Maoris do. They construct them of the thin light bark of the birch tree, somewhat similar to the totara bark, but much thinner, and lighter, and being of a good model they are very easily propelled. They are skilful in making household utensils—such as buckets, tubs, brooms, and baskets. A very good sugar is produced by them by boiling the juice of the maple tree-. squaws are clever in making handsome moccassins from leather and cloth, which they ornament with beads. The men are not so heavy in body as the Maoris, but they are very lithe and active, and capable of enduring much fatigue. The squaws fortunately are not accustomed to carry the burdens that some Native women are compelled to do; the consequence is they are well-shaped, and many of them fine looking. It appears from the article referred to that the Indians in some parts are decreasing, and in other parts increasing, but that on the whole they are becoming more numerous. There are altogether 85,390. The number of Maoris at the present time, as shown by a recent number of the Waka Maori, is estimated at 46,016. The Indians are now considered to have reached a turning point in their history, and as they are likely to form a considerable portion of the inhabitants of the country, it is thought that the Government should not overlook them. Hitherto the efforts in their behalf—especially in some districts—have been comparatively feeble, but the day, it is hoped, will come when a more active interest will be shown in their welfare. In some parts, however, a great deal has been done for them, and of late considerable efforts have been made by the Government to educate them. In one locality where there were 14,184 Indians, there were 1,307 Indian children going to school. In another place there were 471 at school. The article ends with these important words : —" This matter of education, it will be found, furnishes the clue to the whole question of the future of the Indian races. Educate the Indian, and he will soon cease to be a nomad savage, and turn to agriculture and the arts and occupations of civilization." It will be seen from the above that in Canada education is now being looked upon as the means by which the Indians can be raised out of a state of ignorance, and barbarism. Turning to ourselves, let us ask what is being done in New Zealand for the Maoris ? The Government is doing all it can to

educate them. "Wherever the Natives really desire a school to be established a teacher is sent to them. It is true, a great many children are now being educated; but there are numbers who are growing up in ignorance, a state of things on their account much to be deplored. In some countries the natives have been treated by the white men very differently to the manner in which the Maoris have been treated. In some parts of the world their welfare has been entirely neglected by the G-overnment; and not only that, but their lands forcibly taken away, and the natives used very harshly. Some of the Maoris may, perhaps, have read how the Roman nation, many hundreds of years ago, when they took possession of England, instead of acting with clemency towards its people, treated them with great cruelty. Many were put to death, and some were taken away captives to a distant land. Doubtless at the present timethe Maoris—like some of the Indians in America—have reached a turning point in their h l ' „ory. If they neglect or despise the praiseworthy exertions now being made by the G-o----vernment to educate their children, they and their descendants will be the sufferers. If, however, they will take an active interest in this subject of education, and cultivate habits of frugality and industry, the Maoris of New Zealand may become a contented and prosperous people. Perhaps at some future time the writer may return to this matter.