Woodcraft Indians: Ernest Thompson Seton
America Comes Alive
Ernest Seton (1860-1946) was born in County Durham. Having lost a significant money in Britain, his dad left for Canada to try farming. Much of Ernest’s life in his early teens was centred in the wooded ravines at the edge of Toronto, studying nature.
Ernest displayed an artistic talent and gained a scholarship for London’s Royal Academy of Art. But he went to New York instead where met with many naturalists, ornithologists and writers. And until the late 1880s, he split his time between Toronto and New York.
This Canadian was a gifted wildlife illustrator and writer, who had already produced several scientific books. But his major contribution came through teaching environmentalism to young people. The concept for forming the Woodcraft Indians began near Greenwich. Seton and his wife bought a home surrounded by beautiful, wooded land. Although the area had long been used by local teenagers to hunt small game, Seton wanted to prevent hunting on his property and fenced it. This angered the local teens who vandalised his fences and gates.
In 1902 Seton decided to instruct the vandals. He invited them to spend the weekend camping on his property, delighting the boys with stories about Native Americans and nature. Seton was concerned not merely to preserve resources for man’s use, a la today’s conservation, but also to defend the ecological balances of nature in the wild. So he focused on American Indians who’d lived in harmony with those balances, whereas the white man destroyed them.
The result of this camping weekend was a group of boys who became interested in nature, conservation and Native American traditions. Encouraged by the boys’ response, Seton wrote articles for Ladies' Home Journal during 1902, under the heading Seton's Boys. Those articles later were published together in Birch Bark Roll.
Seton taught games and non-hunting activities that would let the boys explore the fields and woods. They established their own leadership hierarchy and made their own tribal clothing to wear.
Seton’s national publicity worked so well that he developed plans for more groups of the Woodcraft Indians across America. He wrote: “The Woodcraft Indians would help bring together young people from various stations, break down the barriers that society has foolishly placed upon them, and establish in their minds when they are young a finer kind of humanity, a real understanding that the important thing is the association of a human spirit.”
After the Boer War, British military hero Lord Robert Baden-Powell returned home as a hero. He soon learned that one of the booklets that he had prepared for his soldiers, Aid to Scouting, was being used by British groups to guide lads. So the leader of the Boys’ Brigade, an interdenominational Christian organisation, asked Baden-Powell to expand a programme, to teach young men good citizenship. Baden-Powell had heard of Ernest Seton’s work in the USA and invited him over to discuss it. Seton travelled to the UK in 1904 and 1906, hoping that the UK would establish chapters of the Woodcraft Indians. He gave a copy of The Birch Bark Roll of the Woodcraft Indians to Baden-Powell, and the two men bonded.
In 1908, Seton got a letter from Baden-Powell stating that he was going ahead with his vision for The Boy Scouts was being founded, using Seton’s programme as a base. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys and incorporated many of Seton’s ideas and games into his book. Seton deferred to Baden Powell in America and set aside the Woodcraft Indian idea in favour of Scouting; nonetheless the Boy Scouts of America always looked to Seton as their founder.
In 1910 Seton merged his Woodcraft Indian chapters into the newly formed group and served as Chief Scout Executive. Daniel C Beard (1850–1941) was an American youth leader who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard immediately merged with the Boy Scouts of America.
Seton set out the Cardinal Principles of Woodcraft in 1910:
(1) This movement is essentially for recreation.
(2) Camp-life is the simple life reduced to actual practice, as well as the culmination of the outdoor life.
(3) Self-government with Adult Guidance. Control from without is a poor thing when you can get control and self-governing from within.
(4) Magic of the Campfire is the focal centre of all primitive brotherhood. Use its magic powers.
(5) Pursuits. Manhood, not scholarship is the aim of education, so seek outdoor pursuits that develop the finest character & physique.
(6) Honours by Standards. The competitive principle is responsible for evil. So strive to bring all the individuals up to a certain standard. In our tests, the enemies are the forces of Nature.
(7) Personal Decoration for Personal Achievements. The love of glory is the strongest motive in a savage. Civilised man should find in high principle his master impulse. Glory through standards.
(8) Heroic Ideal. The boy from 10-15, like the savage, is purely physical in his ideals. So the ideal is physical, clean, manly, heroic and leading with certainty to higher things.
(9) Picturesqueness. The effect of the picturesque is magical, subtle and irresistible because it is not reasonable. Utilise the charm of titles, gay costumes, ceremonies, phrase, dance and song
Seton believed that Baden-Powell’s use of “Be Prepared” was clearly a preparation for war; with WWI Seton resigned from Scouting. Seton believed that Baden-Powell had stolen many of Scouting’s essential ideas from him yet had betrayed the spirit of woodcraft!
(1) This movement is essentially for recreation.
(2) Camp-life is the simple life reduced to actual practice, as well as the culmination of the outdoor life.
(3) Self-government with Adult Guidance. Control from without is a poor thing when you can get control and self-governing from within.
(4) Magic of the Campfire is the focal centre of all primitive brotherhood. Use its magic powers.
(5) Pursuits. Manhood, not scholarship is the aim of education, so seek outdoor pursuits that develop the finest character & physique.
(6) Honours by Standards. The competitive principle is responsible for evil. So strive to bring all the individuals up to a certain standard. In our tests, the enemies are the forces of Nature.
(7) Personal Decoration for Personal Achievements. The love of glory is the strongest motive in a savage. Civilised man should find in high principle his master impulse. Glory through standards.
(8) Heroic Ideal. The boy from 10-15, like the savage, is purely physical in his ideals. So the ideal is physical, clean, manly, heroic and leading with certainty to higher things.
(9) Picturesqueness. The effect of the picturesque is magical, subtle and irresistible because it is not reasonable. Utilise the charm of titles, gay costumes, ceremonies, phrase, dance and song
Seton believed that Baden-Powell’s use of “Be Prepared” was clearly a preparation for war; with WWI Seton resigned from Scouting. Seton believed that Baden-Powell had stolen many of Scouting’s essential ideas from him yet had betrayed the spirit of woodcraft!
From left: Ernest Seton, Baden-Powell (seated) and Dan Beard
Wiki
Of course there were other environmentalists in the USA. Gifford Pinchot was appointed by Pres Roosevelt in 1905 to be the first chief of the USA Forest Service. Pinchot believed that nature needed to be protected, but that progress DID need to continue. Roosevelt himself was a believer in protecting nature, AND advocated that young people participate in rigorous exercise. And Seton’s ideas also inspired splinter groups from the Scouts such as Ernest Westlake’s Order of Woodcraft Chivalry in 1916 and John Hargrave’s Kibbo Kift Kindred in 1920.
In 1930 Seton bought acreage in Santa Fe New Mexico, and founded the Seton College of Indian Wisdom. He taught summer courses in the arts, outdoor activities and leadership. Today Seton Village still exists and there is also a Seton Memorial Library.
In 1930 Seton bought acreage in Santa Fe New Mexico, and founded the Seton College of Indian Wisdom. He taught summer courses in the arts, outdoor activities and leadership. Today Seton Village still exists and there is also a Seton Memorial Library.
Woodcraft Indians Spread Nationally
America Comes Alive
36 comments:
People ahead of the times with their thinking and actions. I like hearing about good people.
Weekend tents, camp fires, healthy walks and great company. Better than computer games alone.
Seton is a true visionary. This is what a true leadership looks like.
Andrew
How wonderful that Ernest Seton was committed to respect for Native Americans, ornithology, preservation of nature, wildlife art and teaching adolescent boys to work for the community, not against it. Baden-Powell had more Christian values but he too was committed to protecting nature and teaching adolescents good citizenship. Not bad for the pre-WW1 era!
Train Man
I know that the boy scouts still provide great experiences for Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand teens, but I asked my grandchildren if they would they ever go. They had never heard of it!
And like you, it also worries me that a entire generation of adolescents will never know about the thrills of spending weekends in the countryside with their mates.
roentare
I was a very well read historian at school, university and since, but I had never heard of Seton until relatively recently. My first reading was:
The Importance of Ernest An essay by Don Sparling
https://reviewcanada.ca/magazine/2014/09/the-importance-of-ernest/
There are branches of the Woodcraft Folk, as they're known in UK, but scouting is still far more widely known and followed. Any form of non-fanatical social and moral guidance for young people outside school is worthwhile.
jabblog
I agree totally. Any form of social and moral guidance for young people outside school is well and truly worthwhile. I went to youth movement gatherings every Sunday in my own city, and once a year went to a big tent-camp every summer holiday. Apart from learning about conservation issues, care of animals, fruit picking and rural hiking, it created life long friendships.
But I will say again. In the 1950s and early 60s, tv was largely unavailable and computers had never been heard of. I remember our parents were delighted to have youth movements and scouts actively promoted.
I believe that Baden-Powell was a controversial figure. He was accused of being a racist, a Hitler supporter and a "closet homosexual"! So his behaviour described here does not seem so surprising.
I am a keen naturalist and fully in favour of educating young people in it's importance.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s generally guileless Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
How very interesting.
When I was young boy, a lot of our social activities were around our local parish. I used to absolutely love going on church retreats. Our Catholic church used to have a building (I think it was a seminary or something like that) in the countryside. We used to play games, go for walks in the neighbouring woodlands, do meditation in groups, talk about things like forgiveness, nature, and play football. I loved it so much that when I was 12 or so I wanted to be a priest because they were the loveliest and kindest people I met.
I liked this, I feel that so many young people have nothing but computer games and being considered a gamer to be a normal thing, it isn't, well not me it isn't.
It's interesting that 1) vandalism was around back in time-even though I really didn't think of being around then and 2) that both of these men did so much to help boys become more aware of the world. I guess the idea that young people need role models is something has been around for a long time. This was a really interesting read that I didn't expect to be so fascinating. Thanks. Enjoy what's left to your weekend Hels.
bazza
Baden Powell was a highly respected Lieutenant General in the British Army in the 1880s and 1890s in India and South Africa. British Imperial justice was his top priority. So ordinary families were not aware of his executing prisoners, racism and anti-homosexuality views in the early decades of his boy scout movement.
By the time he organised his first camp for British boys in summer 1907, his outdoor, hiking & camping activities were totally admired, as were his Christian community responsibilities. The boys learned leadership and organisational skills, as he wrote up in Scouting for Boys, one of the best-selling C20th books ever!
Liam
you may have had experience with a different type of youth organisation but that only adds to my point. That if you take pre-teen and teenage boys out of their homes each weekend and offer them exercise, sport, love of nature, Christian values and close friendships, you turn potentially difficult years into a productive, happy era. Well done.
Jo-Anne
computer games may be fun and keeping the brain active, but such children don't have much experience with fresh air, forests, physical exercise and large group activities. You are quite right to set the standards you feel are appropriate.
Erika
girls were eventually included, but both Seton and Baden Powell were acutely aware of needing to help boys become moral individuals and productive citizens. And I agree with you that young people always needed good role models, especially boys. Is that still true today?
Woodcraft and Indian Lore: A Classic Guide from a Founding Father of the Boy Scouts of America
by Ernest Thompson Seton
"I should like to lead this whole nation into the way of living outdoors," wrote Ernest Seton over seventy-five years ago. If the nation was in need of a dose of nature then, we can certainly benefit even more from Seton's sage advice now. Learn how to build a campfire, a dam, or a birch bark basket; to recognize animal tracks, constellations, and all manner of forestry; to stop a nose-bleed, ease poison ivy, or soothe a sore throat with natural remedies; to make delicious biscuits on the trail and spot edible mushrooms; and more. This book is essential for Boy Scouts and their leaders, and great fun for anyone desiring a fuller experience of outdoors life.
Seaton was ahead of his time. What a great man. It is a shame that scouting and guiding has gone out of favour. They were great associations for boys and girls to learn about nature and survival and how to enjoy themselves outside. The activities over the generations have changed and I guess the previous generations always wondered about the new generation of kids. Just like I do today.
Amazon
many thanks. Not being an American or Canadian, I had no idea what Woodcraft and Indian Lore even meant until the last couple of years. Seton instructed the programme for non-Indian children in his town in knowledge and skills of life in the woods. This was an excellent idea, given that Native Americans were probably not much appreciated at the turn of the century.
I will check to see if the book is in our biggest libraries.
diane
This century, enrolment numbers have definitely gone down and down. Are parents less interested now? Are young teens not as interested now? Has the organisation has been subject to certain doubts about the safety of gays, blacks and migrants?
1972 was the peak enrolment for US Boy Scout membership but we would have to check the numbers in other countries.
The contribution of both Seton and Baden-Powell to the guidance and education of youth outside school activities, is Huge!
However, times have changed radically. The best friends are no longer Nature and the other children, but the screens.
I quite pity the younger generation. They won't be able to deal with life's challenges which are many and terrible.
Hello Hels, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have always been ridden with problems--even before the more recent scandals, they have been heavily politicized and religion-oriented to the point of ostracizing non-Christian children. My brother and I did not have much to do with the scouts, which wasn't too much our kind of thing. But from the time we were small, just try to keep us away from the outdoors, whether that was a vacant lot with a trickle of water running through it, to the local Metropark (Cleveland has a huge and amazing system of large, naturally wooded Metroparks) and even further afield once we could drive. Almost every day we went alone, with each other, or with whatever friends we could drag along.
.
From Seton's principles:
"(4) Magic of the Campfire is the focal centre of all primitive brotherhood. Use its magic powers."
--Canada has overdone it a little this year with the power of the Campfire.
"(6) Honours by Standards. The competitive principle is responsible for evil. So strive to bring all the individuals up to a certain standard. In our tests, the enemies are the forces of Nature."
--This maxim seems confused, but I still have a major problem with this philosophy, and with any groups (such as Outward Bound) that treat Nature as the "enemy." I agree with Euell Gibbons we must treat Nature as a friend and learn to get along with its forces. Defying Nature's forces is what has brought the environment and climate to the state that it is in.
--Jim
Boa tarde. Obrigado pela excelente aula de histĆ³ria. Sempre tenho oportunidade de aprender com o seu conhecimento e maravilhoso trabalho.
DUTA
Seton and Baden-Powell were full of insight, yes. How did they know that our modern world would be polluting more, pulling down trees more and suffering from rapid climate change?
So today's parents and teachers should encourage care of nature, not ignore it. I too feel sorry for what the youngest generation will grow up in, but our generation has to admit it is is largely responsible, not blame our grandchildren.
Parnassus
ignore the camp fire's magical power :) Although I must admit I always found building and watching camp fires mesmerising.
But of course you agree that we must treat Nature as a friend and learn to get along with its forces. The whole point of all these young movements was that defying Nature's forces is what has brought the environment and climate to the state that it is in. The real enemies of Nature were/are the exploiters and destroyers.
Luiz
thank you. Did you have any experience in outdoorsy youth movements in your own younger years?
Tive alguns na Igreja Batista no Parque Nacional da Tijuca.
Luiz
it was an important part of our adolescent years, yes.
Perhaps less so for the children.
Author-naturalist Ernest Seton spent a significant portion of his life on a homestead just near Carberry, Manitoba. It was there that Seton began studying and recording the various wildlife that inhabited the vast prairie landscapes of Manitoba. Within these spaces, a passion for naturalism was born and Seton would go on to make many significant contributions to conservation and wilderness education for youth. In Carberry, a small museum and community centre were built to commemorate the life and work of Ernest Seton to keep his legacy alive.
The Seton estate outside Santa Fe, New Mexico is home to the Academy for the Love of Learning, an educational research institution. The Academy houses a collection of Seton art and archives. It maintains the leading website: www.ernestthompsonseton.com an encyclopedia of Seton's life and work. David L. Witt
Seton Centre
although my mother's cousins lived in Winnipeg and held family reunions there at least 3 times, they didn't ever take us to Carberry. I would have loved to have seen the facilities that had been built to commemorate Ernest Seton's legacy.
David
Many thanks. Because I live in a British Commonwealth country, we were always surrounded by boy scouts and girl guides as children and adolescents. But I didn't even recognise the name Woodcraft Indians, even though they shared major values and programmes with Baden Powell.
I am rarely in New Mexico, but I would love to travel with some of the grandchildren to see your Academy for the Love of Learning. They will love it.
Hi Hels - I know about Seton through his authorship and hadn't realised the connection with Baden Powell. In fact I think I have one of his books here ... cheers Hilary
Hilary
you are the best read person I know. I thought I was a relatively well read historian but I don't think I ever knew who Seton was, until relatively recently.
The Academy for the Love of Learning (133 Seton Village Rd, Santa Fe, New Mexico) was even a more recent piece of valuable learning from a blogger (see David L Witt above)
Thanks Hels - my ability to learn was negligible - ie no university - I did eventually get a professional qualification - which I promptly discarded ... not my forte - still don't know what that is! I honestly think having the blog has opened my eyes to way more than I ever thought possible. I appreciate the comment ... cheers and thanks - Hilary
Hilary
writing a blog has been essential for me too. It has also introduced new writers, and as long as I can follow up their references, I love learning more in old age.
Post a Comment