Indian Boarding Schools

Indian boarding schools were a major factor in the movement towards Indian assimilation. The federally run schools were created to transform tribal children into students of white society. The techniques used by instructors and teachers varied by school, but most left a lasting impression on their students.

The first of these schools were established in 1860s. They were created by the federal government and named "day schools". These were daily schools set up on reservations as the first of many ways to accustom Native Americans to western society. The following decade boarding schools were established across the country as a more forceful way of acclimating Indian children into this new world.

Most famously known, is the Carlisle Indian School located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Henry Pratt, a former Army officer in favor of total assimilation. His trademark quote was "Kill the Indian in him and save the man" which was exactly what he was determined to do. This was the only off-reservation boarding school in the East, giving Pratt even more freedom to do as he pleased. In order to completely rid the children of their tribal ancestry, the boys were forced to chop off their hair while boys and girls alike were given identical uniforms and received new "white" names. They were taught table manners, for example how to use ordinary utensils such as knives and forks. And while they were constantly threatened with the possibility of corporal punishment, they were also rewarded from abstaining the use of their former languages. Another widely used program was "outing". It was the process of sending students to white family farms for the summer, and a better way to become accustomed to their new life. Although, this opportunity was not always perceived that way. Many families used it as a chance to enforce hard manual labor on the children. And in many cases, the school  would reward the families for doing so. The Carlisle Indian School had a harsh reputation among the students, but taught them a variety of life lessons in the process.

Along with these boarding and day schools, there were also a variety of mission schools. These were created by missionaries on reservations as a way to combine religion with academic training. The first was near the Tulalip Reservation and was opened in 1857; it consisted of 6 boys and 5 girls. This was one of the few mission schools that did receive federal support, such as annual funds for buildings. While the church provided books, clothing, housing, and medical care. And because of this, it became a federal facility by 1900. Although the school only reached eight grade, there were 200 students enrolled in 1907 ranging in age from six to eighteen. The mission schools brought a different approach to education, but sometimes at the same damaging cost as other Indian schools.

Indian schools were known for instilling good values and valuable lessons in children, but at a cost. These schools were unfortunately known for the cruel ways they treated students. Many were sexually abused by nuns, priests, and other members of the school's staff. And runaways were threatened with harsh punishment and often extremely malnourished. They were forced to do heavy labor instead of class work and punished for anything done wrong. The majority of students later described this as "sexual, physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural abuse". As a result of these awful acts, children as young as the age of six committed suicide.  

These are just a few of the suspected hundreds of boarding schools across the country in the 1800s. Their harsh ways of teaching and cruel punishment made it hard for students to take anything away from this experience. Although they accomplished what they were created for, it came at a very high cost. Children lost their family, dignity, and pretty much their entire way of life. They were ready to be transferred into white society, but many were emotionally and physically scared as a result. This experiment tore apart tribes, and destroyed Indian culture altogether.

Indian Country Diaries: PBS

This site was particularly helpful to me because it gave a quick over view of how the boarding schools were first started and the events leading up to it. There is even a schedule with the daily routines of the students. It even goes on to explain what happened to students after they completed boarding school. These few facts really helped me to produce an argument for my topic.

Assimilation through Education: University of Washington

The University of Washington website, gave detailed information on boarding schools and Indian assimilation. The topics are clearly spaced out and provide thorough evidence with plenty of dates and locations. There are also a few pictures to give a better sense of what life was like.

Boarding Schools: American Indian Relief Council

This website is provided by the Indian Relief Council and offers plenty of information on things such as destroying formal tribal life from Indian children, punishment, and becoming self-sufficient. These were all things that came out of the boarding school era and stayed with the students for the rest of their life.

American Indian Boarding Schools Haunt Many: NPR

This article gives first hand knowledge of the horrors of these boarding schools, and the lasting effects they had on students. These stories also give a better feel as to how life was inside of these schools. There are even reports from studies at the end of the article.

The Boarding School Experience: Heard Museum

The Heard Museum gives an insightful article into Native American boarding schools from the years 1879-1900. It focuses more on what students were studying and the other processes by which groups of people were assimilated into society.