PORTLAND, Ore. - Commissioner of Indian Affairs Glenn L. Emmons today praised the progress being made by Pacific Northwest Indian tribes in 'establishing tribal scholarships for Indian youths seeking education beyond the high school level.
At the same time the Commissioner said he was hopeful that the four tribes which received portions of the $26,000,000 Celilo settlement would use some of their money received for ancient fishing rights to educate their youths to take their rightful place in modern American society as full-fledged citizens.
"Our Portland area director, Don C. Foster, has reported to me this week that eight Northwest tribes are offering scholarship help to their youths and that this year 79 students are receiving help from these scholarships or from tribal educational loan funds," Mr. Emmons said.
He said that the practice of Indian tribes providing scholarships is a relatively new one. Most scholarships provide only a part of the students expenses and the tribes expect the students to work to help themselves. In this way more students can be aided.
In addition to the 79 students receiving tribal scholarships or loans there are six Northwest Indian youths who received Bureau of Indian Affairs educational grants and 'one who is attending college with the help of a scholarship from the American Missionary Association.
“Mr. Foster tells me this report by no means represents all of the Indian youths attending Pacific Northwest colleges, universities or vocational schools. Many youths are attending these institutions of higher learning on their own or with the help of their parents. We have made no effort to tabulate how many there are in these categories.“ Emmons said.
The Commissioner said he was particularly happy about the report because it indicates progress is being made in the education phase of his three part program to better the lot of the Indians of the United States. The three part program, said Mr. Emmons, is designed to give all Indians 1) better education, 2) better health, and 3) better economic conditions. Commissioner Emmons arrived in Portland Monday to meet with a committee of the American Bankers Association to discuss problems involved in protecting the assets of Klamath Indians who are minors or otherwise not capable of managing their affairs after the termination of Federal trusteeship which is provided in Public Law 587. During the week he will also meet with members of the Warm Springs, Umatilla and Yakima tribal councils to discuss plans for use of the Celilo settlement funds.
