Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools [FULL DOCUMENTARY]
TLDRThe video script delves into the dark history of Native American boarding schools, where assimilation policies sought to eradicate indigenous cultures. It recounts stories of children forcibly taken from their families, subjected to harsh conditions, and stripped of their languages and traditions. Despite the trauma, the script also highlights resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring spirit of Native Americans, including their significant contributions and the ongoing struggle for recognition and healing.
Takeaways
- 😔 The Native American boarding school era represents a dark and painful chapter in American history, marked by forced assimilation and the stripping away of Native culture and identity.
- 🗣️ The policy aimed to 'kill the Indian and save the man' by suppressing Native languages, customs, and traditions, reflecting a misguided and harmful approach to integration.
- 🏫 The boarding schools, such as Carlisle, Haskell, and Sherman, were often harsh environments where Native children were subjected to strict discipline, including physical and emotional abuse.
- 👥 The experience of boarding schools was not uniform; some students found a sense of community and opportunity for education, while others suffered deeply from the separation from their families and culture.
- 🏞️ Native children were taken from their homes and natural environments, which had a profound impact on their mental and emotional well-being, often leading to feelings of isolation and dislocation.
- 🎓 Despite the adversities, some Native Americans achieved significant success in education and sports, such as Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills, demonstrating resilience and talent in the face of systemic challenges.
- 🏥 Health issues were prevalent in boarding schools, with many children suffering from diseases and the emotional toll of being away from home, leading to high mortality rates.
- 👮♂️ The military-style management of early boarding schools reflected the U.S. government's approach to what they perceived as the 'Indian problem,' treating it as a matter of conquest and control.
- 👶 The loss of children from their families and communities had long-lasting effects, contributing to intergenerational trauma and the disruption of traditional Native American lifeways.
- 📚 There were efforts towards reform, such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1975, which sought to give tribes more control over their educational systems and promote a more respectful approach to Native culture.
- 🙏 The legacy of the boarding schools is complex, with ongoing calls for acknowledgment, apology, and healing, as well as a recognition of the strength and resilience of Native American communities.
Q & A
What was the policy of Assimilation during the Native American Boarding School era?
-The policy of Assimilation during the Native American Boarding School era aimed to strip away everything Native, including language and culture, with the belief that to 'kill the Indian' and 'save the man' was the way to integrate Native Americans into white society.
How did the boarding schools impact the Native American children's cultural practices?
-Boarding schools impacted Native American children by forbidding them to practice their way of life, cutting their hair to Anglo standards, changing their clothes to military-style uniforms, and suppressing their language and ceremonies.
What was the role of the Carlisle Indian School in the boarding school system?
-The Carlisle Indian School, founded in 1879 by Richard Henry Pratt on a former military site, was a key institution in the boarding school system, where Native American children were given vocational and religious training with the goal of assimilating them into society.
What was the significance of the 1868 Treaty with the Navajo in relation to boarding schools?
-The 1868 Treaty with the Navajo included a provision that Navajo children must attend school, which led to the establishment of Native American boarding schools and contributed to the assimilation policy.
How did the boarding school experience affect the family structures and relationships of Native Americans?
-The boarding school experience affected family structures and relationships by discouraging close family proximity, separating children from their families, and causing a loss of cultural competency that strained relationships within the tribes.
What were some of the physical and emotional abuses that occurred in the boarding schools?
-Physical and emotional abuses in the boarding schools included harsh punishments like whipping, spanking, and making children stand on their knees until they blacked out. There were also reports of sexual abuse and the use of confinement rooms for unruly students.
How did the boarding school era contribute to the intertribal relationships among Native Americans?
-The boarding school era, by bringing Native children from many diverse cultures together in one place, inadvertently strengthened intertribal relationships and created an intertribal Pan-Indian relationship across the country.
What changes were brought about by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1975?
-The Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1975 gave tribal communities greater control over their own affairs, including education, leading to a shift in how Native American children were educated and treated in schools.
How did the boarding school experience impact the mental health of Native Americans?
-The boarding school experience has had long-lasting effects on the mental health of Native Americans, leading to high rates of depression, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from their cultural heritage.
What role did Native American veterans play in World War II, and how does this relate to the boarding school era?
-Native American veterans, such as the Navajo Code Talkers, played a crucial role in World War II by using their native languages to communicate vital information that enemies could not decipher. This highlights the irony that the same languages discouraged during the boarding school era were instrumental in a major military victory.
What steps have been taken to address the historical injustices of the boarding school era?
-Some steps taken to address the historical injustices include apologies from the U.S. President and calls for further apologies from individual states, as well as efforts to incorporate Native American values and belief systems into modern education.
Outlines
📚 Dark History of Native American Boarding Schools
The paragraph delves into the dark era of Native American boarding schools, which were part of an assimilation policy aimed at stripping Native children of their culture, language, and identity. The policy's underlying belief was encapsulated by the phrase 'Kill the Indian and save the man.' The narrative includes the experiences of Native children who tried to escape these institutions, the forced changes in their appearance and lifestyle, and the prohibition of their cultural practices. It also features commentary from Dr. Jennifer Nez Denetdale, who suggests that the policy was more akin to ethnic cleansing, with lasting devastating effects on Native communities.
🏞️ The Impact of European Arrival on Native Americans
This paragraph discusses the arrival of European explorers in the Americas and the subsequent impact on the indigenous populations. The Lewis and Clark expedition is highlighted as a pivotal event that led to significant changes in the lives of Native Americans, including the loss of their lands and the forced assimilation policies. The narrative includes the effects of westward expansion, the establishment of boarding schools, and the tragic consequences for tribes like the Navajo, who were forced to march to Bosque Redondo, resulting in the death of nearly two thousand people.
👣 Legacy of Trauma from Native American Boarding Schools
The paragraph focuses on the long-term effects of the boarding school system on Native American communities, highlighting personal accounts of survivors who experienced cultural erasure, emotional and physical abuse, and the severing of familial ties. It details the traumatic experiences of children who were forcibly taken from their families, subjected to harsh disciplinary measures, and indoctrinated with the belief that their native practices were inferior. The lasting intergenerational trauma and the struggle to preserve cultural identity in the face of such policies are emphasized.
🏛️ The Carlisle Indian Industrial School and its Lasting Effects
This paragraph centers on the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, established by Richard Henry Pratt, who believed in the assimilation of Native Americans through vocational and religious training. Pratt's infamous quote about 'killing the Indian in him and saving the man' is featured, reflecting the school's harsh approach to assimilation. The narrative also mentions other infamous boarding schools like Haskell and Sherman, and the experiences of students who faced physical punishment and cultural suppression.
🤝 Cultural Strengthening Despite Assimilation Policies
The paragraph explores the unintended consequences of the boarding school system, which, while aimed at cultural erasure, paradoxically led to the strengthening of Native American culture and intertribal relationships. Despite the oppressive policies, Native Americans found ways to preserve their identity and even developed a Pan-Indian consciousness. The narrative also touches on the government's eventual acknowledgment of the failures of the boarding school system and the beginning of a slow process of reform and recognition of Native American rights.
🏡 Returning Home: Stories of Resilience and Loss
This paragraph recounts personal stories of Native American children who attended boarding schools and the emotional toll it took on them and their families. It details experiences of children who faced harsh punishments, the longing for home during holidays, and the desperate measures some took to return, like the tragic story of three boys who lost their legs to frostbite after running away in winter. The narrative underscores the resilience of the children and the enduring sadness of their experiences.
📚 The Evolution of Native American Education
The paragraph discusses the transformation of Native American education from the era of boarding schools to a more inclusive and respectful system. It highlights the closure of some boarding schools due to over-crowding and funding issues, and the shift towards community-based education. Personal accounts from individuals who found value in the educational opportunities provided by boarding schools are included, reflecting a nuanced perspective on the historical impact of these institutions.
🌟 Triumphs and Tribulations: Native Americans in Sports and Society
This paragraph focuses on the contributions and struggles of Native Americans in sports and their representation in society. It discusses the negative impact of racial mascots and stereotypes, as well as the resilience and pride of Native American athletes. The narrative includes the story of Amanda Blackhorse's activism against derogatory sports mascots and the positive example set by the University of Utah's consultation with the Ute tribe.
🏅 Overcoming Adversity: Native American Achievements
The paragraph celebrates the achievements of Native Americans who overcame the challenges of the boarding school era to excel in various fields. It highlights the success of renowned athletes like Jim Thorpe, Louis Tewanima, and Billy Mills, who brought pride to their communities despite the adversity they faced. The narrative emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of Native Americans to American society.
💔 Healing and Apologies: Addressing Historical Injustices
This paragraph discusses the ongoing process of healing and the quest for apologies from the U.S. government and states for the historical injustices suffered by Native Americans due to assimilation policies. It includes a statement from President Barack Obama acknowledging the painful history and broken promises, and the desire of Native Americans for a better future through nation-to-nation collaboration. The narrative underscores the importance of remembering the past and striving for a more inclusive and respectful society.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Assimilation
💡Boarding Schools
💡Cultural Loss
💡Ethnic Cleansing
💡Native American
💡Historical Trauma
💡Indigenous People
💡Trails of Tears
💡Self-Determination
💡Cultural Revival
💡Mascots and Nicknames
Highlights
The Native American boarding school era is considered a dark chapter in American history, with policies aimed at assimilation that stripped away Native culture.
The philosophy behind the policy was encapsulated by the phrase 'Kill the Indian in him, and save the man', highlighting the severity of cultural erasure.
Native children were forbidden from speaking their language and practicing their traditions, which were replaced with Anglo standards and military-style uniforms.
Dr. Jennifer Nez Denetdale describes the policy as more accurately termed 'ethnic cleansing', emphasizing its devastating effects on Native peoples.
The government viewed the assimilation of Native children as the final solution to the 'Indian problem', indicating a systematic approach to cultural eradication.
Families were discouraged from living close to the boarding schools, further isolating the children from their cultural roots.
Assimilation policies were ineffective in training Natives to be competent in the white world while simultaneously alienating them from their own culture.
The arrival of European explorers and the subsequent Lewis and Clark expedition marked a significant shift in Native American life, leading to westward expansion and encroachment.
The Navajo people experienced the 'Long Walk' to Bosque Redondo, a barren reservation, resulting in the death of nearly two thousand Navajo.
The Dawes Act of 1887 reinforced the reservation system and encouraged assimilation, leading to the establishment of Native American boarding schools.
Richard Henry Pratt, superintendent of Carlisle Indian School, believed in 'killing the Indian' in students through vocational and religious training for assimilation.
Haskell Indian Nations University and Sherman Indian High School were among the most famous boarding schools with significant impacts on Native students.
Boarding schools used confinement rooms and physical punishment for unrulier students, indicating harsh disciplinary measures.
Sexual and emotional abuse were prevalent in many schools, often staffed by people isolated from society, contributing to the trauma experienced by students.
Despite the traumatic experiences, some Native leaders like Manuelito sent their children to boarding schools, highlighting the complexity of the era.
The boarding school system brought children from diverse Native cultures together, inadvertently strengthening intertribal relationships and a Pan-Indian identity.
The Meriam Report in 1928 documented abuses in boarding schools and made recommendations for reform, signaling a turning point in Native American education.
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1975 gave tribal communities greater control over their affairs, leading to positive changes in education.
The Santa Fe Indian School, owned and operated by the nineteen Pueblos of New Mexico, represents a shift towards nurturing Native American identity and supporting students.
Despite the adversities, many Native Americans, like Jim Thorpe and Louis Tewanima, achieved significant accomplishments in sports, showcasing their resilience and talent.
Some states and institutions have issued apologies for the past assimilation policies, but many Native people seek deeper recognition and reparations.
The boarding school era's legacy includes both the graves of children and the stories of resilience and achievement, serving as a reminder of the need for societal improvement.
Transcripts
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