Among the South Dakota Indians by RAY R. JEWETT; EFFIE FARRAND JEWETT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1907

Among the South Dakota Indians

By RAY R. JEWETT; EFFIE FARRAND JEWETT

GEDDES.—For the past five years it has been our privilege to live among the tribe of Indians known as the Yankton Sioux Indians. This people occupy the greater portion of the southern extremity of South Dakota west of Yankton. Every man, woman, and child possesses a tract of land. This was allotted to them when the government purchased their lands. Now we find many white people scattered among them, representing different nationalities.

At stated periods of the year the government pays the Indians a certain amount of money, so they feel little need of working. They quickly adopt the intemperate ways of the white people, and it is only a few days after they receive their money until it is spent, either in gambling or for liquor. A very common practise among them at present is to meet together the evening after pay-day, and gamble the entire night. In most cases their families at home are in need of the necessities of life. It is only a short time till their money is spent, and invariably the white people get it. The government is looking into this matter, and their income will soon be restricted to the necessities of life.

On the point of education the government is endeavoring to teach them trades, and men are appointed over certain sections of the country to encourage farming among them. In this they are only partially successful, for when the warm spring days come, instead of working, they much prefer to go visiting. They place all their belongings in a wagon and start for some other settlement, to spend a few months with relatives or friends. In passing through the country, they carry their tent and camping outfit with them. They are usually followed by from two to six dogs, which are consumed in the form of soup when other meat runs low. As a rule, they are good natured and always happy; the future never troubles them—at least from a physical standpoint.

Several organizations have built churches among them, and their church books show quite a following. We hope some good has been accomplished, and that soon the third angel's message may be received by many of them. The younger generation has been educated in the government schools, and nearly all can read and write, so the way is open to circulate literature among them. We believe, however, that medical missionary work will prove to be the best way to reach this class of people, for there are many of the older ones who can not read,

and nearly all are afflicted. It has been said many times in our hearing that there is not an Indian but has tubercular tendencies. Then we find scrofula very common among them, caused from eating flesh that died of itself or of disease. They never question the death of an animal, or the length of time since it died. It is all consumed, even to the inner parts, which are hung on poles or lines to be dried for future use in soup. This mode of living has filled their blood with every conceivable disease, and for that reason we are impressed that medical work would be the leading means toward bringing them to the kingdom of God.

To reach this class of people with the truth would mean untiring efforts, yet they are included in the world-wide proclamation, and we feel an interest in doing all we can to teach them.

In case of sickness we have visited, and have done all we could to relieve suffering, and feel that it has been somewhat appreciated. We apply the treatments, and at the same time advise them in regard to their diet. One Indian told us, after we had talked to him, that he was not eating so much meat, and had been eating more potatoes. To our minds this would seem a small beginning, yet it shows that the truth had entered his mind to the extent of changing his living. Another Indian often remarks that the treatments given him saved his life, as we found him in a critical condition, and there was no physician within many miles. Very fortunately we had the necessary means of relief at hand, and it did us much good to know that God could use us to relieve suffering.

These experiences teach us to have more faith in God, and to be ever ready to help those we meet in the journey of life. We are known among the Indians as the people who have their Sunday on Saturday.

Within a mile from us is one of their churches, whose pastor is a half-breed. He is quite a capable man in many respects, but very bitter against the truth, and very zealous for Sunday observance, or at least to have every one attend services on Sunday. We have visited with him on several occasions, and tried to interest him in health subjects, as well as to call his attention to the Sabbath. It offends him very much for us to work on Sunday, as he thinks it sets a bad example for the members of his church. He says that until the white people came and began working on Sunday, they always had plenty of moisture, and he attributes the droughts they have experienced for some years to the desecration of Sunday. So by this we see the feeling that exists among them, yet we should not become discouraged or slacken our pace in giving this message while so favorable a time lasts. Soon we shall not be able to present the truth as easily as we can now. God only knows what will be the result of the efforts we are putting forth.

In our work we are deprived of church fellowship, and of association with those dear to us, yet we are willing to enter new lands, and live the truth before those who know not Jesus.

The REVIEW comes to us every week, bringing us a message from God. To isolated members let us say, Don't fail to read God's messages to us in our periodicals, otherwise we have no means of keeping in touch with the work in general. We also receive our Sabbath-school pamphlet, and it encourages us very much to study the same lesson that we know so many are studying on the holy Sabbath. As we look over the past, we see many mistakes and failures, but God in his mercy has not cut us off, and we still have faith that we shall at last be numbered among the redeemed.

RAY R. JEWETT, EFFIE FARRAND JEWETT.