Page:LewisMeriam-TheProblemOfIndianAdministration.djvu/76
In discussing the recommended Division of Planning and Development in this summary it has been pointed out how it would provide a mechanism for coöperation between the missionaries and the government. This subject is further discussed in the chapter on organization, pages 103, 139 to 140, and in the chapter on missionary activities, pages 812 to 820. No attempt will be made here further to elaborate this subject of the operation of the Division of Planning and Development.
It would seem as if the government might take one further step in providing a mechanism for coöperation. A national advisory council composed of representatives of each of the churches engaged in missionary work among the Indians would, it is believed, serve a valuable purpose. To it the government officers might refer for consideration and recommendation those major problems in the administration of Indian affairs which involve missionary activity. Thus the churches would get a clear, definite understanding of their problems from the standpoint of responsible government officers. Faced with concrete problems such a council might quickly see that a sound decision would be greatly facilitated if the churches themselves would alter certain of the facts in the case. The council would serve, too, as a clearing house for information. The recommendation is therefore made that the Secretary of the Interior communicate with the appropriate officers of the various church organizations to ascertain the feasibility of establishing such an advisory council.
The churches should give special consideration to the serious problems arising from the isolation of their missionaries. These workers should be given fairly adequate support and normal human contacts, and they should be visited more frequently by representatives of the churches or boards.
Unless funds are available satisfactorily to maintain all stations in operation, the question should be raised as to whether more effective results could not be secured through concentration of the resources on a smaller number of stations.
The missionaries should consider carefully a material broadening of their program and an increase in the number and kinds of contacts with the Indians. Their best work has usually been in the field of education. For adult Indians their main offering has been church activities similar to those conducted in white com-