By Invitation Only: Dance, Confederation and Reconciliation exhibit
Added 18th Mar 2022 by Amy Bowring / Last update 18th Mar 2022
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By Invitation Only: Dance, Confederation and Reconciliation exhibit
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Curators: Amy Bowring, Troy Emery Twigg
Reproduction of circular issued by Duncan Campbell Scott,
Deputy Superintendent General of the Department of Indian Affairs,
December 15, 1921
The circular reads as follows:
It is observed with alarm that the holding of dances by the Indians on their reserves is on the increase, and that these practices tend to disorganize the efforts which the Department is putting forth to make them self-supporting.
I have, therefore, to direct you to use your utmost endeavours to dissuade the Indians from excessive indulgence in the practice of dancing. You should suppress any dances which cause waste of time, interfere with the occupations of the Indians, unsettle them for serious work, injure their health or encourage them in sloth and idleness. You should also dissuade, and, if possible, prevent them from leaving their reserves for the purpose of attending fairs, exhibitions, etc., when their absence would result in their own farming and other interests being neglected. It is realized that reasonable amusement and recreation should be enjoyed by Indians, but they should not be allowed to dissipate their energies and abandon themselves to demoralizing amusements. By the use of tact and firmness you can obtain control and keep it, and this obstacle to continued progress will then disappear.
The rooms, halls or other places in which Indians congregate should be under constant inspection. They should be scrubbed, fumigated, cleansed or disinfected to prevent the dissemination of disease. The Indians should be instructed in regard to the matter of proper ventilation and the avoidance of over-crowding rooms where public assemblies are being held, and proper arrangement should be made for the shelter of their horses and ponies. The agent will avail himself of the services of the medical attendant of his agency in this connection.
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