Boarding schools

Definition

Boarding schools were educational institutions established primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture. These schools aimed to eradicate Indigenous languages, customs, and beliefs, promoting instead the values and practices of mainstream American society. This push for assimilation significantly contributed to the loss of languages and traditional practices among Native American communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Boarding schools were often run by religious organizations, and students faced strict discipline aimed at conforming them to Western norms.
2. Many children were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which not only disrupted family structures but also severed cultural ties.
3. The curriculum in boarding schools heavily emphasized English language instruction and vocational training while neglecting Indigenous languages and traditions.
4. Survivors of boarding schools often reported experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, contributing to intergenerational trauma within Native American communities.
5. The legacy of boarding schools continues to impact Native American identities today, as communities work to revive lost languages and traditional practices.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools contribute to the cultural assimilation of Native American children?
  • Boarding schools were designed specifically to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture by removing them from their families and communities. The institutions enforced strict rules that discouraged or outright prohibited the use of Indigenous languages and traditional practices. As a result, students were compelled to adopt Western customs, which led to a significant erosion of their cultural identities and heritage.
• What are some long-term effects of the boarding school experience on Native American communities today?
  • The long-term effects of boarding school experiences on Native American communities include a widespread loss of cultural identity, language extinction, and intergenerational trauma. Many survivors struggled with the emotional scars from their time at these schools, which affected their relationships with their own families and communities. This legacy has made it challenging for many tribes to revitalize their languages and cultural practices in contemporary society.
• Evaluate the role that boarding schools played in shaping policies related to Native American education and cultural preservation over time.
  • Boarding schools played a pivotal role in shaping educational policies that prioritized assimilation over cultural preservation for Native Americans. The government supported these institutions as part of broader efforts to integrate Indigenous peoples into mainstream society. This approach has had lasting repercussions on how education is delivered within Native American communities today, as many advocate for culturally relevant teaching methods that honor Indigenous languages and traditions rather than suppress them. The fight for educational reform continues as tribes seek to reclaim their heritage while promoting language revitalization and cultural education.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Cultural Assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs, beliefs, and behaviors of another culture, often resulting in a loss of their original cultural identity.

Native American Language Loss: The decline and extinction of Indigenous languages spoken by Native American tribes, largely due to policies promoting English and suppressing native languages in educational settings.