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A Seminar For Indian Women A condensation of an article by ‘Mrs. B. Cochrane, Secretary, Country Women s Coun- ' .S.A. ‘ €11.I’EUI‘Jatidnal (U.S.A.) Seminar for‘ Indian women was held at Colorado State Universuy, Fort Collins. Colorado, in August, 1970. Sixty- eight Indian women representing fortyâ€"three tribes from twenty-three states attended and voted to create the North American Indian Women‘s Association. Mrs. Eugene Survant, A.C.W.W. Area Vice- President. U.S.A., attended the Conference and assisted in the formation of the new organization. Mrs. James M. Cox of Okla- homa, a Comanche Indian, was elected the first President. She is a gifted woman who has helped the Smithsonian Institute in Washing ton set up a display of Indian c05tume â€" she attended President Nixon's inaugural ball. It was planned to hold their 1971 annual meeting in Oklahoma. A complete program had been planned, based on Education, Employment. Environ- ment and Health as these were problems com- mon to most tribal communilies. The program was loosely structured and delegates soon realr ized this was to enable them to change or add to the program to meet their interests and de- sires. Every effort was made to encourage partici- pation of delegates and stimulate their leader- ship qualities. With the development of trust and confidence, problems were freely dis- cussed in small groups as Well as in general sessions. Topics of paramount importance were: (1) lack of employment on Indian Reserâ€" vations; (2) lack of recreational facilities and Youth Activities; (3) need for improvement of Community facilities; (4) the need for care of the aged who are left on the Reservations when the young people leave to obtain em- ployment; (5) problems caused by the abuse of drugs and alcohol which go hand in hand with unemployment; (6) pollution of streams, af- fecting yield of fish for food; (7) use of pesti- crdes that contaminate wild fruits and berries and reduce bee population, thus cutting the honey harvest (all foods that are staple diets on some reservations). Airing these stimulated discusslons and many possible solutions and means of approaching problems were present- ed. As one delegate said, ‘We can work to solve problems we recognize as such â€" the dangerous problems are those we don‘t recog- ntze‘. 24 Each delegate was given equal uppomnm to explain and exhibit examples of her illltuyl crafts and culture. The differences in illuse were minor and due largely to physical ...,i‘,_ ronment. Essentially all were similar and were for the health. comfort, enjoyment and "ell- bcing of the tribe. These experiences CElll- «ed a close bond of friendship and respect _l,. mg the delegates. t * 'k The Secretary of the Federated Wome‘ ‘n. stitutes of Ontario received the following .3, of thanks from Mrs. Mungo Barr, Hon. t-V Treasurer of the Associated Country \‘ .n of the World after Mrs. Zoeller pFESCI g, "Pennies For Friendship" cheque _ A,C.W.W. Council meeting in London land, September 1970. t c“ Dear Mrs. Miller: I was thrilled and d»: it when Mrs. Zocller gave me the most gr r. cheque for Pennies For Friendship and n to say a very big Thank You for you: .~ bers’ generous co-operation. Will you please tell everyone how mi appreciate your support. The official receipt is enclosed. It has been so nice having some of on w seas friends with us during these very h at I hope happy days. With renewed thanks to all, the best v 0d wishes in your many projects. Yours sincerely, Margaret Barr, Hon. TICEl ENTRIES TO GO ON AND BE ll LD AND ANNOUNCEMENT MADE l' "‘1 AT THE OSLO CONFERENCE. Place Mat Class No. 1, 18x12 nee nrk and embroidery lâ€"Mrs. Julia Parker, RR. 1. Cobor 2~Mrs. Charles Wallace, Metcalfe 3â€"Mrs. Paul Pederson, RR. 1, Fin; Place Mat Class 3 2, 18 x 12 weaving Mrs. H. Neely, RR. 8, London Emay My Countryside, To-day and i MU" row lâ€"Mrs. C. Y. Tilden, RR. 3, Law l1 Zâ€"Mrs. W. I. Stauffer, Box 236, St .\'i|le. HOME AND 6 INT“