Boarding schools

Definition

Boarding schools were educational institutions established primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at assimilating Native American children into Euro-American culture. These schools operated under the belief that Native American cultures were inferior, promoting a policy of cultural erasure through rigorous education that emphasized English language, Christianity, and vocational training while prohibiting the use of Native languages and customs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Many boarding schools were run by religious organizations and the federal government, with the most famous being Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded in 1879.
2. Children were often forcibly removed from their families and communities to attend these schools, leading to significant trauma and disruption of familial ties.
3. The curriculum was designed to strip away Native identities by enforcing English language use and Christian religious practices, while traditional cultural expressions were banned.
4. Boarding schools had lasting negative impacts on Native communities, contributing to intergenerational trauma and loss of cultural knowledge.
5. The legacy of boarding schools is still felt today as many Native Americans seek to reclaim their languages and cultural practices that were suppressed during this era.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools reflect the broader policies of assimilation towards Native Americans during the Allotment and Assimilation Era?
  • Boarding schools exemplified the assimilation policies of the time by forcibly educating Native American children in a manner that sought to eradicate their native cultures. The institutions aimed to transform these children into 'civilized' individuals by promoting English language skills and Christian values while suppressing their own languages and traditions. This approach was part of a larger effort by the U.S. government to integrate Native Americans into Euro-American society, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the superiority of Western culture.
• Discuss the role of religious organizations in establishing and operating boarding schools for Native American children.
  • Religious organizations played a significant role in founding and running boarding schools for Native American children. Many of these schools were established with the intention of converting Indigenous children to Christianity while also 'civilizing' them through education. These organizations often partnered with the federal government, receiving funding and support to promote their missions. Their influence was crucial in shaping both the curriculum and daily life at these institutions, often prioritizing religious instruction over the preservation of Native cultures.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of boarding school education on Native American communities and how it has influenced contemporary efforts for cultural revival.
  • The long-term consequences of boarding school education have been profoundly damaging for Native American communities. The systemic erasure of languages, traditions, and familial structures created intergenerational trauma that still affects Indigenous peoples today. However, in response to these historical injustices, contemporary efforts for cultural revival have gained momentum. Many tribes are working to reclaim their languages and traditions through educational programs that reflect their heritage rather than impose external values. This movement toward cultural reclamation underscores a resilience among Native communities as they strive to heal from the past.

Related terms

Assimilation:

The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often resulting in the loss of their original cultural identity.

Dawes Act:

Legislation passed in 1887 aimed at promoting individual land ownership among Native Americans, which ultimately contributed to the loss of tribal land and identity.

Cultural genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture through various means, including education, legislation, and forced assimilation practices.