LOOK WHAT I CAUGHT!!!!! I was catching up on reading while pinned by the baby. Time well spent I believe.
credit to: LaPaz Farm
In June of 1744, commissioners from Maryland and Virginia invited the Six Nations of the Iroquois to send a half dozen youths to William and Mary College for a ”proper” education. The next day, Canassatego, speaking for the Iroquois, had this response :
We know that you highly esteem the kind of learning taught in those Colleges, and that the Maintenance of our young Men, while with you, would be very expensive to you. We are convinced, therefore, that you mean to do us Good by your Proposal; and we thank you heartily. But you, who are wise, must know that different Nations have different Conceptions of things; and you will therefore not take it amiss, if our Ideas of this kind of Education happen not to be the same with yours. We have had some Experience of it. Several of our young People were formerly brought up at the Colleges of the Northern Provinces; they were instructed in all your Sciences; but, when they came back to us, they were bad Runners, ignorant of every means of living in the woods, … neither fit for Hunters, Warriors, nor Counsellors, they were totally good for nothing. We are, however, not the less oblig’d by your kind Offer, tho’ we decline accepting it; and, to show our grateful Sense of it, if the Gentlemen of Virginia will send us a Dozen of their Sons, we will take Care of their Education, instruct them in all we know, and make Men of them.
Comments
Apr. 24, 2008 - Ha!
Posted by Shauna
I LOVE IT! Nice catch!
May. 6, 2008 - proper education
Posted by Anonymous
Wow, I love this!
My father and I have often had conversations on this topic. He is a journeyman carpenter, by trade, and has been in construction management for 20 years. He learned the craft and worked his way up from swinging a hammer to toting a laptop and cell phone. His position is Project Superintendent for multi-million-dollar commercial projects. He often finds himself in the position of having college educated assistants that are "good for nothing." They have book knowledge and no hands-on experience.
Craftsmanship is a lost art, it would seem. Being an understudy and learning a trade, honing your skills under the watchful and critical eyes of a master; this was the means of passing on knowledge for centuries.
In the larger picture, life requires the development of more than a single skill or craft. Accumulation of knowledge in one or many disciplines does not alone impart Wisdom. Ideally wisdom is gained along with the acquisition of knowledge through life experience and the mentorship of elders. This should be our life-long goal. It is a never-ending process of growth that should not end with the reception of a graduation certificate. Practically speaking, the gaining of knowledge and wisdom should make us better lovers, parents, providers, and citizens; more, not less useful.
In 250 years have we come closer to that goal or moved farther from it? I suppose that depends on whom you ask.
~Monica
May. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by boysrus
That is a great post! Thank you for sharing it~
blessings,
dee@boysrus