Unveiling the Dark Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools

Alpha
Nov 13, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Last week we attempted to tackle, in a brief article, the history behind the oppression and crimes committed against native tribes in the United States of America. However, given the nature of the article, a lot of aspects were overshadowed in favor of creating a simple and concise reading, which could serve as a starting point for those interested in doing research. Nevertheless, we at Politdigm have felt that a follow-up article covering another aspect of this dark period of history was not only necessary but would also aid in establishing some light on a period that was not covered in the previous blog. As such, in this blog, we seek to present an article that exposes to the wider public one of the darkest crimes committed by the Education System of the United States of America: The American Indian Boarding Schools.

PHOTO CREDIT: Image by Adrian from Pixabay

History and Context

The history of these Boarding Schools can be traced back to the colonization of the American Continent, as Puritan schools and catholic missions sought to “educate” and convert native children. A movement that later intensified after the end of the American Revolution. As the new country’s policies towards the native population changed, both George Washington and Henry Nox considered that the Indian population was no different than the Americans, but that their culture was inferior. As a result, in 1819 the Civilization Fund Act was passed by the American government. Which gave financial backing to religious schools which were tasked with “civilizing” and assimilating Indian children and adults, by teaching them according to European customs [1]. But, by 1870, said backing began to be removed in favor of more “modern” methods”. Unsurprisingly, the outcome of this change of policy gave way to more and more extreme methods.

The new movement and process for assimilation of the Indian people began in 1879 with Richard Carlisle Prat. A man who, at the time, was considered enlightened and modern. Having fought on the Union's side in the American Civil War, having commanded a union of buffalo soldiers [2][3]. Still, Pratt’s notoriety before the American Education System resulted from the time of the Indian Wars, as he was responsible for processing prisoners of war, later becoming the ward of a prison dedicated to them. During this time, Pratt established education systems inside the prison that would teach the prisoners following a British education. For Pratt did not believe in racial superiority, but instead in racial superiority.

The plan and proposal presented by Pratt revolved around the same racist ideal. He was to lead a school for Indian children, which would attempt to sever all of the cultural ties that they held. The school was to be outside reservation grounds and it would be a boarding school. As to not let daily visits to the children’s tribe and family “undo” the school's work. Pratt was given the green light by the government. The school's motto is “Kill the Indian, Save the Man”.

The Carlisle Boarding School

After meeting with the chiefs of tribes from the Great Plains, Pratt convinced them to send their children to his new boarding school, which would be known as The Carlisle Boarding School. The school itself was built inside a former military base and Pratt remained a military officer. Something which would translate into his policies within the institution. Life at the school was hellish. The first class was composed of one hundred and forty-seven students, whose ages ranged from six years old, to the early twenties. Clothes and objects that could be considered cultural signifiers were removed. Their hairs were cut, something which many tribes only did in mourning.

Native languages were prohibited, and new English names were picked for the children. Members of the same tribes were separated into different bunks. They were dressed in uncomfortable school uniforms and ate typical American food, which was hard for their digestive systems to process. Children who spoke English received medals and promotions, which was a common aspect of the school's militaristic nature. And punishments for failure were harsh and cruel. Even as the summer came, over half of the students took part in an outage program, which saw them complete hard labor for long hours with minimum to no pay. A program that was supposed to prepare them for the “real world”, which kept them from seeing their families.

Fatalities at the school were so common, given the proliferation of diseases for which the student’s immune system wasn’t prepared, that it held an on-campus cemetery. Whilst most victims would have their bodies sent home, over one hundred and eighty students were buried, victims of a variety of diseases, mostly tuberculosis.

The Carlisle Boarding School functioned from 1879 to 1918. Both the growth of localized private government schools and the fewer enrolment of students due to World War One draftings led to the school’s closure [4]. Yet, its legacy far exceeded the institution, as more and more mandatory boarding schools for native youth sprouted throughout the country. And just like their predecessor, their legacy would be one of pain.

Stolen Generations

During the 1880s, over three hundred and fifty boarding schools created in the Carlisle Boarding School, would be inaugurated outside reservation grounds in the United States. Over a hundred of those schools were run by the federal government, whilst others were also run by religious organizations. And in Canada, around 139 residential schools were opened. The methods used by these institutions were based on Carlisle’s example, and yet the conditions were often worse. From mandatory summer outing programs to year-round back-breaking labor, which in some cases led to children being hired out so that the schools could profit.

And it is also essential to note that attendance at these was mandatory. Officials and military officers would take the children of tribe reserves and threaten to cut off food and medical supplies if they did not comply.

The scars left by these schools are still felt generations after. Many survivors still suffer from trauma, caused by the inhuman conditions in which they lived. The school's mission was in itself to rob the cultural identity and heritage of thousands of children, to eradicate a culture that was deemed “inferior” and “savage”. And unfortunately, there are cases in which it succeeded. Survivors have completely forgotten their heritage, not knowing their mother tongue and often being strangers to their tribes and families.

It was only in 1978 that Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act, which allowed Indian parents the right to refuse their children’s enrolment. Which, consequently, led to a majority of these schools closing between the 1980s and 1990s [5].

Modern Times

In 2020, the Bureau of Indian Education operated 183 schools. The majority of which are non-boarding and located on reservations. Nevertheless, the quality of education provided in these schools, and its compliance with federal standards have been a target for criticism.

But for those who attended the mandatory boarding schools of the last century, the abuse and abhorrent conditions have led to intergenerational trauma. As some victims later enacted the cruel education that they were subjected to, with their children.

Thankfully, a small silver lining can be found, as more recognition towards this monstrous period of history has gained more and more media and political recognition. And as of last year, Deb Haaland [6], the first Native American, Secretary of the Interior has begun to formally investigate the lasting consequences of these schools [7].

Conclusion

When we look at our modern history, we see that recognizable and influential nations are often built upon blood. But especially the blood of innocents. And yet, in cases such as the crimes committed against the native people of the American continent, their crimes weren’t just perpetuated into the modern era. They are oftentimes disregarded and pushed off the spotlight in favor of a more palatable narrative, whilst thousands suffer in the shadows. Their pain is a consequence of a brutal and unfeeling government that seeks to destroy the things that made them.

In our modern times, we see cries for our national identity and “rich individual culture” as more and more nationalist movements arise. But those same people who cry for the preservation of their own national identity are often quick to disregard and outright shame with disdain the culture of those that they deem lesser. But this is an all too familiar plight. For as the past showed us, a lot of the world’s most powerful nations have their hands stained with the blood of those who came before them. The least we can do is remember the atrocities and crimes committed against the innocent and vow for them to never be committed again.

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