Indian Boarding Schools: A Tragic Chapter in U.S. History

Introduction

Indian boarding schools stand as one of the most tragic and disturbing chapters in American history.   These institutions were part of a systemic effort by the U.S. government to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture.  These institutions were tools of cultural genocide masked as educational facilities designed to strip Indigenous children of their identities, languages, and traditions. Understanding the history of Indian boarding schools is critical to comprehending the broader impact of colonialism on Indigenous people in the United States and abroad. 

The Origins of Indian Boarding Schools 

Indian boarding schools were part of assimilation policies enacted to manage Native American people and their land.  The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to dissolve tribal landholdings and promote individual land ownership among Native Americans. The Indian boarding schools were born out of the belief that Native American cultures were inferior and required replacement with the values of Euro-American society. In 1879, Richard Henry Pratt founded the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, which became the model for many other boarding schools nationwide. Pratt's guiding principle, "Kill the Indian, save the man," encapsulated the government's intent: to assimilate Native children into mainstream American society by forcibly removing them from their families, communities, and culture.

Government and Religious Involvement 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) played a significant role in establishing and funding boarding schools, often in collaboration with Christian missionary groups. The Civilization Fund Act of 1819 provided early funding for religious groups to establish schools for Native children that executed the assimilation agenda.  Schools like the Haskell Indian Nations University (originally known as the United States Indian Industrial Training School) were instrumental in implementing assimilation policies—hundreds of Native children were enrolled in these institutions by the early 20th century.

The aim of Indian boarding schools was not just the complete erasure of one culture but the ultimate replacement by another.  Modeled after military institutions, Indian boarding schools operated with strict schedules, uniforms, and harsh disciplinary measures. Officials took children from their homes and subjected them to cruel treatment and everything unfamiliar. The abusive treatment was justified as a method to instill obedience and suppress Native identity.  Below are common themes across the operation and structure of boarding schools:

Common Themes of Structure and Operation  

Cultural Erasure  

The most consistent legacy across these schools was the effort to erase Native American cultures through forced assimilation.  The behaviors that were natural for the children became offenses in the schools.  Forbidden behaviors included speaking their languages, practicing their spiritual traditions, or engaging in cultural activities.

Trauma and Abuse

Many students were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at these institutions, consequently compounding the abuse and trauma inflicted by harsh discipline, poor living conditions, and forced labor.

Vocational Training  

Most boarding schools focused on vocational training, teaching boys skills like farming or carpentry and girls domestic tasks like cooking and sewing. While this was framed as a way to prepare students for mainstream American society, it often relegated them to low-paying, labor-intensive jobs.

Religious Indoctrination  

Many boarding schools, particularly those run by religious organizations, emphasized converting Native American students to Christianity. This religious indoctrination often went hand-in-hand with attempts to suppress Indigenous spiritual practices.

Well-Known Schools 

In addition to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, other notorious boarding schools included Haskell Indian Nations University (formerly known as the United States Indian Industrial Training School) and the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School. These institutions became infamous for their harsh treatment of students, overcrowded conditions, and lack of proper care.

Impact on Native Communities 

The long-term impact of Indian boarding schools on Native American communities is immeasurable. Cultural genocide has led to the loss of languages, traditions, and community cohesion. The boarding school experience left many children traumatized, leading to an inability to reconnect with their families and heritage after years of forced assimilation.

Despite these efforts, Native communities resisted and preserved their cultures in numerous ways. Families taught children their language and traditions in secret, protecting the culture targeted for erasure. Undeterred, many children who attended these schools became outspoken advocates for Native rights.  They went on to lead movements to reclaim and preserve Indigenous cultures.

The Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools 

The legacy of Indian boarding schools extends well beyond their closure. The effects of the intergenerational trauma caused by these institutions are present today.  The forced removal and cultural suppression endured have had long-lasting psychological and social ramifications on Indigenous peoples. Many Native American communities are actively reviving their cultural practices that were nearly lost due to these schools.

There are ongoing efforts to acknowledge and address this dark chapter in American history. Truth and reconciliation commissions, such as The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, aim to document the stories of survivors and seek justice for the trauma inflicted on Native communities.  In 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative.  This initiative is the first of its kind by the federal government to investigate its involvement in this tragic history.  The initiative produced two reports, one report released in 2022 and the second and final report released in July 2024.  The website and reports are just one aspect of the initiative.  For more information, visit the website of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative.

Conclusion 

Indian boarding schools were a tool of cultural genocide.  They systematically erased the identities of Native children by assimilating them into the ways of Euro-American society. Assimilation policies are not as overt today, but the legacy of boarding schools continues to affect Native communities.  Understanding this history is crucial for fostering healing and promoting cultural revitalization.

This blog post is part 1 of a series on Indian Boarding Schools. Stay connected to learn more.