Kill the indian, save the man

Definition

The phrase 'kill the Indian, save the man' reflects the ideology behind the forced assimilation of Native Americans into Euro-American culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It symbolizes the belief that Indigenous cultural identity needed to be eradicated to successfully integrate Native individuals into mainstream American society. This concept justified the establishment of boarding schools aimed at suppressing Indigenous languages, traditions, and ways of life in favor of European American values.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The phrase is often attributed to U.S. government officials in the late 1800s who believed that eradicating Native culture was essential for civilizing Indigenous peoples.
2. Boarding schools enforced strict discipline, punishing children for speaking their native languages and practicing their cultural traditions.
3. Many Native American children were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in boarding schools, leading to long-lasting trauma and disconnection from their communities.
4. The legacy of 'kill the Indian, save the man' continues to impact Native American communities today, contributing to intergenerational trauma and cultural loss.
5. Prominent figures like Richard Henry Pratt championed this ideology, believing that Native Americans could only thrive by adopting white American customs and abandoning their own heritage.

Review Questions

• How did the ideology of 'kill the Indian, save the man' influence the establishment of boarding schools?
  • 'Kill the Indian, save the man' directly influenced the establishment of boarding schools as it encapsulated the belief that Indigenous children needed to be stripped of their cultural identity to become productive members of Euro-American society. This led to government policies that supported these institutions, where children were taken from their families and subjected to a curriculum designed to erase their Indigenous heritage. The schools enforced conformity through harsh methods, making it clear that success was defined by assimilation into white culture.
• Discuss the long-term effects of the 'kill the Indian, save the man' philosophy on Native American communities.
  • 'Kill the Indian, save the man' had devastating long-term effects on Native American communities by instilling deep-rooted trauma and cultural disconnection. The forced removal of children from their homes created rifts in family structures and disrupted the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations. Many individuals who attended boarding schools faced identity crises, struggling with a loss of language and tradition. These experiences have contributed to ongoing challenges within Native communities today, including issues related to mental health and cultural preservation.
• Evaluate how contemporary understandings of Indigenous rights challenge the principles behind 'kill the Indian, save the man.'
  • Contemporary understandings of Indigenous rights critically challenge the principles behind 'kill the Indian, save the man' by affirming that Indigenous cultures are valid and worthy of preservation rather than eradication. Modern movements advocate for sovereignty, self-determination, and cultural revitalization, emphasizing that Native peoples should have control over their own educational systems and cultural expressions. This shift highlights a rejection of assimilationist ideologies and recognizes the importance of honoring diverse identities as integral to a just society. Such changes reflect a broader acknowledgment that respecting Indigenous rights contributes positively not only to Native communities but also enriches society as a whole.

Related terms

Boarding Schools: Institutions designed to educate Indigenous children by removing them from their families and communities, often employing harsh methods to enforce assimilation.

Cultural Genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, including language, traditions, and social structures, often through policies aimed at forced assimilation.

Assimilation Policies: Government strategies intended to integrate Indigenous populations into the dominant Euro-American culture, often at the expense of their traditional practices and identities.