Boarding school era

Definition

The boarding school era refers to a period in U.S. history, primarily from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, when Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in government-funded boarding schools. The aim was to assimilate them into Euro-American culture by eradicating their Indigenous identities, languages, and traditions, which is closely linked to forced assimilation policies, language suppression efforts, and adoption programs designed to integrate Native American children into mainstream society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The boarding school era began in the 1870s when the U.S. government started establishing institutions specifically for Native American children as part of its assimilation policy.
2. One of the most famous boarding schools was Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded in Pennsylvania in 1879, which became a model for other institutions across the country.
3. Students were often punished for speaking their native languages, with some schools implementing strict rules that resulted in physical or emotional abuse for language use.
4. The legacy of the boarding school era has had long-lasting effects on Native American communities, including intergenerational trauma and loss of cultural identity.
5. By the mid-20th century, public awareness of the negative impacts of these schools began to grow, leading to changes in policies regarding Native American education and child welfare.

Review Questions

• How did the boarding school era reflect broader forced assimilation policies implemented by the U.S. government?
  • The boarding school era exemplified forced assimilation policies by systematically removing Native American children from their families and placing them in institutions designed to erase their cultural identities. These schools enforced Euro-American values while punishing Indigenous traditions, language use, and familial ties. This approach aimed to transform Native Americans into 'civilized' citizens, undermining their rich heritage and promoting a singular national identity.
• In what ways did language suppression occur within boarding schools during this era, and what were its long-term effects?
  • Language suppression was a central practice in boarding schools where Native American children were forbidden from speaking their native languages. Punishments for violations were common, fostering an environment where students internalized shame about their cultural heritage. This led to significant long-term effects, including diminished fluency among generations and a weakened transmission of cultural knowledge, further contributing to the erosion of Indigenous languages and identities.
• Evaluate the role of adoption programs during and after the boarding school era in shaping Native American family structures and identities.
  • Adoption programs during and after the boarding school era played a crucial role in altering Native American family structures by removing children from their families and placing them with non-Native families. This practice aimed at furthering assimilation efforts but often resulted in loss of cultural ties and identity for these children. The ongoing ramifications include legal and social challenges for Indigenous families seeking to reclaim their cultural heritage and maintain connections with their communities.

Related terms

Dawes Act: A law enacted in 1887 aimed at assimilating Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land and promoting farming, often resulting in the loss of tribal lands.

Indian Child Welfare Act: A federal law passed in 1978 to protect the best interests of Native American children and preserve Native American families and culture, countering earlier adoption practices.

Cultural genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, including language, practices, and traditions, often seen in the context of boarding schools' impacts on Indigenous peoples.