Frequently Asked Questions about Native American Boarding Schools

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 41 views

The Dark History of Native American Boarding Schools

A Legacy of Cultural Erasure

In order to assimilate Native Americans into American society, some were sent to boarding schools so that they could be "civilized" by whites. This statement is a painful reminder of the dark history of Native American boarding schools, which were designed to erase the cultural identities of Native American children and replace them with European-American values.

The boarding school system was a product of the Indian Boarding School Era, which lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. During this time, the US government forcibly removed Native American children from their families and sent them to boarding schools, often located far from their reservations. The goal of these schools was to "civilize" Native American children by teaching them European-American customs, language, and values.

The boarding schools were notorious for their harsh conditions and brutal treatment of students. Children were forced to cut their hair, wear European-style clothing, and abandon their traditional languages and cultural practices. They were also subjected to physical and emotional abuse, including beatings, forced labor, and isolation from their families.

The impact of the boarding school system on Native American communities was devastating. Many children died from disease, malnutrition, and other causes, while others were forced to abandon their cultural identities and traditions. The trauma inflicted on Native American children and their families has had lasting effects, contributing to ongoing social, economic, and health disparities in Native American communities.

The legacy of the boarding school system continues to be felt today. Many Native American communities are still struggling to recover from the trauma inflicted by these schools, and efforts to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices are ongoing. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to acknowledge and address the historical trauma inflicted on Native American communities, including the boarding school system.

The History of Native American Boarding Schools

The Indian Boarding School Era began in the late 19th century, when the US government passed the Indian Appropriations Act of 1870. This act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to establish boarding schools for Native American children, with the goal of assimilating them into European-American culture.

The first boarding school was established in 1879, at Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. The school was founded by Richard Henry Pratt, a military officer who believed that Native American children could be "civilized" through education and assimilation. Pratt's approach was based on the idea that Native American children needed to be separated from their families and communities in order to be "saved" from their "savage" cultures.

The boarding school system expanded rapidly in the early 20th century, with the establishment of schools in many states. The schools were often located on or near Native American reservations, and were designed to be self-sufficient, with their own farms, gardens, and industries.

The boarding schools were notorious for their harsh conditions and brutal treatment of students. Children were forced to work long hours in the fields and factories, and were subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Many children died from disease, malnutrition, and other causes, while others were forced to abandon their cultural identities and traditions.

The Impact of the Boarding School System

The boarding school system also had a profound impact on Native American languages and cultural practices. Many Native American languages were suppressed, and children were forced to abandon their traditional cultural practices in favor of European-American customs. The loss of cultural identity and language has had a lasting impact on Native American communities, contributing to ongoing social and economic disparities.

Conclusion

The history of Native American boarding schools is a painful reminder of the dark legacy of colonialism and cultural erasure. The boarding school system was designed to assimilate Native American children into European-American culture, but it ultimately had a devastating impact on Native American communities. The trauma inflicted on Native American children and their families has had lasting effects, contributing to ongoing social, economic, and health disparities in Native American communities.

It is essential to acknowledge and address the historical trauma inflicted on Native American communities. This includes recognizing the legacy of the boarding school system and its ongoing impact on Native American communities. It also involves supporting efforts to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices, and working to address the ongoing social, economic, and health disparities that affect Native American communities.

The future of Native American communities depends on our ability to acknowledge and address the historical trauma inflicted by the boarding school system. By working together to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices, and to address the ongoing social, economic, and health disparities that affect Native American communities, we can help to create a brighter future for Native American children and their families.

Answer: A. True
Frequently Asked Questions about Native American Boarding Schools

Q: What were Native American boarding schools?

A: Native American boarding schools were institutions established by the US government to assimilate Native American children into European-American culture. These schools were designed to erase the cultural identities of Native American children and replace them with European-American values.

Q: When did the Native American boarding school system begin?

A: The Indian Boarding School Era began in the late 19th century, when the US government passed the Indian Appropriations Act of 1870. This act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to establish boarding schools for Native American children.

Q: What was the goal of the Native American boarding school system?

A: The goal of the Native American boarding school system was to assimilate Native American children into European-American culture. This involved teaching children European-American customs, language, and values, and suppressing their traditional cultural practices.

Q: What were the conditions like in Native American boarding schools?

A: The conditions in Native American boarding schools were often harsh and brutal. Children were forced to work long hours in the fields and factories, and were subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Many children died from disease, malnutrition, and other causes.

Q: How many Native American children attended boarding schools?

A: It is estimated that between 1870 and 1960, over 100,000 Native American children attended boarding schools. These children were forcibly removed from their families and sent to schools located far from their reservations.

Q: What was the impact of the Native American boarding school system on Native American communities?

A: The impact of the Native American boarding school system on Native American communities was devastating. Many children died from disease, malnutrition, and other causes, while others were forced to abandon their cultural identities and traditions. The trauma inflicted on Native American children and their families has had lasting effects, contributing to ongoing social, economic, and health disparities in Native American communities.

Q: What is being done to address the legacy of the Native American boarding school system?

A: There are ongoing efforts to acknowledge and address the historical trauma inflicted on Native American communities. This includes recognizing the legacy of the boarding school system and its ongoing impact on Native American communities. It also involves supporting efforts to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices, and working to address the ongoing social, economic, and health disparities that affect Native American communities.

Q: How can I learn more about the Native American boarding school system?

A: There are many resources available to learn more about the Native American boarding school system. These include books, articles, and documentaries that provide a detailed history of the boarding school system and its impact on Native American communities. You can also visit the National Museum of the American Indian or other cultural centers to learn more about Native American history and culture.

Q: What can I do to support Native American communities?

A: There are many ways to support Native American communities. You can learn more about Native American history and culture, and support efforts to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices. You can also volunteer with organizations that work to address the ongoing social, economic, and health disparities that affect Native American communities.

Q: How can I help to address the legacy of the Native American boarding school system?

A: You can help to address the legacy of the Native American boarding school system by acknowledging and respecting the cultural identities and traditions of Native American communities. You can also support efforts to preserve Native American languages and cultural practices, and work to address the ongoing social, economic, and health disparities that affect Native American communities.

Answer: A. True