Their New Names.
All Americans should know about the exceedingly fascinating work that the famous Sioux Indian, Dr. Charles A. Eastman, who married the poet, Elaine Goodale, has done for his brothers of the Sioux Nation. I have heard him describe, in his quaint way, the many perplexities that arise from the long individual names of the Indians, that do not at all indicate family relationships, and are almost impossible for most folks to remember. In proportion as the Indians become civilized, and own and sell property, transferring titles, this defect in their system or no-system of nomenclature becomes a serious matter. Therefore an important step in the civilization of the Indian is his adoption of the civilized name. Dr. Eastman's fine face glows with enthusiasm as he unfolds the far-reaching results of his work.
For he was commissioned by the Government to rename all the Sioux Indians,—a tremendous and a delicate task that no one else could accomplish half so well. Dr. Eastman is no iconoclast. He has a love for the beautiful Indian names, and has retained them so far as he can. But what is one to do with an Indian who is called Tatcyohnakewastewin, which signifies She-Who-Has-a-Beautiful-House? Dr. Eastman renamed her Good house. No particularly beautiful sentiment attaches to Bob-tailed Coyote, and everyone is willing to have it changed to Mr. Robert T. Wolf. But such a name as Matoska (White Bear) is retained, as it is pleasing and manageable. In this way, with sympathy, poetic insight, and ready wit, Dr. Eastman has persuaded the Sioux to adopt improved names.
Is not the whole operation a beautiful illustration of the new name which each of us is to receive in heaven, fresh from the mind of our Father? It will signify the final abandonment of our old sinful nature. It will mean our adoption into the kingdom of heaven. It will retain all the best of the old, and it will seal us to the glorious and permanent new.