Boarding schools

Definition

Boarding schools are educational institutions where students live on campus while receiving instruction, often away from their home communities. In the context of Native American history, these schools were primarily established by the government and missionaries with the intention of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-American culture, often at the cost of their native languages, customs, and identities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Many boarding schools were founded in the late 19th century as part of a broader policy to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society.
2. Students were often forcibly removed from their families and communities, leading to significant trauma and disconnection from their cultural roots.
3. The motto 'Kill the Indian, save the man' exemplified the harsh approach to education at these schools, where Indigenous identities were systematically suppressed.
4. Boarding schools not only focused on academic education but also on teaching vocational skills deemed necessary for survival in a Euro-American society.
5. Despite the traumatic experiences faced by many students, some were able to create lasting friendships and retain elements of their cultural identity even after leaving these institutions.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools reflect the goals of assimilation for Native American children during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
  • Boarding schools were designed to promote assimilation by immersing Native American children in Euro-American culture, stripping them of their languages and traditions. The environment was structured to reinforce Western values through strict discipline and a curriculum focused on vocational training. This approach was part of a broader federal policy aimed at eradicating Indigenous cultures and integrating Native Americans into mainstream society.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of boarding school education on Native American communities and identities.
  • The long-term impacts of boarding school education have been profound and complex. Many individuals who attended these schools experienced significant disconnection from their cultural heritage, leading to challenges in identity and community cohesion. However, some former students have worked to reclaim their heritage and share their stories, resulting in a growing awareness of these historical injustices. This dual legacy continues to influence contemporary Native American identity and cultural revival efforts.
• Analyze how boarding schools contributed to the broader narrative of cultural genocide in North America and its implications for Indigenous rights today.
  • Boarding schools are a stark example of cultural genocide as they sought to eradicate Indigenous identities through forced assimilation practices. This system not only disrupted family structures but also led to generations of trauma among Indigenous populations. The legacy of these schools continues to resonate today as Indigenous communities advocate for recognition of their rights, cultural preservation, and healing from historical traumas. Understanding this history is crucial for addressing ongoing inequalities and fostering reconciliation efforts between Indigenous peoples and settler societies.

Related terms

assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits of another group, often leading to the loss of their original cultural identity.

Indian Boarding School Movement: A historical initiative during the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at educating Native American children in a manner that emphasized Western values and practices while suppressing their Indigenous cultures.

cultural genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, language, and identity, often through policies and practices that aim to erase their historical presence.