Boarding school era

Definition

The boarding school era refers to a period, primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in government-run or church-affiliated boarding schools. The goal was to assimilate Indigenous youth into Euro-American culture by erasing their languages, traditions, and identities, which has had lasting impacts on health disparities among Native populations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The boarding school era began in the late 1800s with institutions like the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which was established to educate Native American children in a manner that encouraged assimilation.
2. Children were often taken from their families without consent, leading to profound disruptions in family structures and cultural continuity.
3. The schools enforced strict discipline, prohibited the use of native languages, and taught a curriculum that devalued Indigenous knowledge systems.
4. Studies show that experiences in boarding schools have contributed to historical trauma, leading to ongoing health disparities such as higher rates of mental health issues and substance abuse within Native communities.
5. The legacy of the boarding school era continues to impact contemporary Native American identity, health, and family structures as communities work to reclaim their cultures and heal from past injustices.

Review Questions

• How did the practices implemented during the boarding school era contribute to cultural assimilation among Native American populations?
  • The practices during the boarding school era aimed specifically at cultural assimilation involved removing children from their families and communities to instill Euro-American values. This included forbidding the use of native languages and promoting Western education while denigrating Indigenous cultures. As a result, many Native American youths lost touch with their cultural roots, which contributed to a generational gap in cultural knowledge and identity.
• Discuss the long-term health disparities resulting from the boarding school era and how they affect contemporary Native American communities.
  • The long-term health disparities stemming from the boarding school era are significant. The trauma experienced by children has been linked to increased rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and chronic illnesses within Native American populations today. This intergenerational trauma continues to affect community dynamics, social relationships, and overall health outcomes as survivors grapple with the legacy of forced assimilation.
• Evaluate how intergenerational trauma resulting from the boarding school era informs current efforts for healing and cultural revitalization within Native American communities.
  • Intergenerational trauma from the boarding school era has led many Native American communities to recognize the importance of healing initiatives focused on mental health support, cultural education, and family reunification. Current efforts emphasize reclaiming traditional practices, languages, and identities as pathways toward healing. By addressing the psychological impacts of past injustices while fostering cultural pride and resilience, communities are actively working to mitigate the effects of this trauma for future generations.

Related terms

Cultural assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the practices and beliefs of another culture, often resulting in the loss of their original cultural identity.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): A U.S. federal law enacted in 1978 aimed at protecting the best interests of Native American children and promoting the stability and security of Indian tribes and families.

Intergenerational trauma: The transmission of trauma effects from one generation to subsequent generations, which can affect mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes.