Boarding schools

Definition

Boarding schools were institutions designed to educate Native American children while attempting to erase their cultural identities and assimilate them into Euro-American society. These schools, often run by the federal government or religious organizations, aimed to 'civilize' Native youth by enforcing English language use and Christian values, significantly impacting their families and communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first boarding school for Native Americans was established in 1860, with the goal of assimilating Indigenous children into mainstream American culture.
2. Students at these schools were often forbidden to speak their native languages or practice their traditional customs, leading to a loss of cultural knowledge.
3. Many boarding schools operated under harsh conditions, with reports of physical and emotional abuse being common among students.
4. The legacy of boarding schools has contributed to ongoing issues within Native communities, including intergenerational trauma and loss of cultural identity.
5. In recent years, there has been a movement towards reconciliation and acknowledgment of the harms caused by these institutions, including calls for reparations and cultural revitalization efforts.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools reflect the broader policies of assimilation enforced upon Native American communities during their operation?
  • Boarding schools were emblematic of the assimilation policies imposed on Native American communities, as they aimed to strip away Indigenous identities and replace them with Euro-American cultural norms. By enforcing English language use and prohibiting traditional practices, these institutions sought to create a homogeneous society that marginalized Indigenous cultures. This reflects a systematic approach by the government and religious organizations to erase Native identities in favor of assimilation into mainstream American life.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of boarding school experiences on Native American families and communities.
  • The long-term impacts of boarding school experiences on Native American families and communities are profound and far-reaching. Many individuals who attended these schools experienced trauma that affected their personal lives and relationships. The enforced separation from family and culture led to a disruption in the transmission of traditional knowledge and practices. This disruption has resulted in ongoing struggles with identity and community cohesion, as many individuals today grapple with the consequences of this historical trauma.
• Assess the ways in which modern Indigenous movements seek to address the historical injustices caused by boarding schools.
  • Modern Indigenous movements actively seek to address the historical injustices caused by boarding schools through various means, including advocacy for cultural revitalization, education about historical trauma, and policy reform. Initiatives aimed at preserving Indigenous languages and traditions are crucial for healing and restoring identity within communities. Furthermore, many advocates push for reparations or acknowledgment from governments regarding the harms inflicted by these institutions. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, these movements aim to create a more equitable future that honors Indigenous histories and cultures.

Related terms

Assimilation:

The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often at the expense of their original culture.

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, leading to significant disruptions in their societies.

Cultural genocide: Actions aimed at destroying the cultural heritage of a group, including language, traditions, and identity, often implemented through policies like those seen in boarding schools.