Page:LewisMeriam-TheProblemOfIndianAdministration.djvu/152
when in direct contact with white competition. Second, the experience gained in these efforts will give real data for revising and developing the industrial training given in the Indian schools. It would hardly seem as if the Indian Service itself would have to develop an elaborate machinery for finding positions. For this branch of the work it should establish connections with existing agencies national, state, and local. It will, of course, require field employees on the reservations to make this work effective. The first need is for a thorough study and a well developed plan. The person selected should be well qualified for making contacts and preferably should have a fairly wide acquaintanceship with persons engaged in placement work.
Native Arts and Industries. The survey staff has been impressed by the possibilities of the development of native Indian art and its application as an enrichment to our industry. Already possibilities in this direction have been demonstrated by private organizations and activities. The whole subject is considered more at length elsewhere, both from the economic standpoint[1] and from the social and psychological.[2] It would seem that, encouraged and developed, it would not only add materially to the economic resources of the Indians, many of whom are in great need, but it would also furnish them the opportunity to make a distinctly Indian contribution to our civilization which would appeal to their very proper racial pride. The possibilities are such that the national government could well afford for several years to retain at least one competent person, who with assistance from temporary specialists could go into the matter thoroughly and determine its possibilities.
Family and Community Life. The second broad field in which much remains to be done is in planning and developing well rounded programs relating to family life, home conditions, and recreation. These subjects are closely interrelated with health, school, and economic efficiency. The conditions found by the survey and detailed recommendations with reference thereto are presented in detail in other sections of the report.[3] The purpose here is briefly