Boarding school policies

Definition

Boarding school policies refer to the systematic approach taken by various governments and organizations to educate Indigenous children by removing them from their families and communities, often with the goal of assimilating them into Euro-American culture. This approach aimed to erase Native American identities and promote Western values, leading to significant cultural, emotional, and social ramifications for generations of Indigenous peoples.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Boarding school policies were widely implemented in the United States and Canada from the late 1800s into the mid-20th century, targeting Indigenous children as part of a larger assimilation agenda.
2. These policies aimed to sever ties between Indigenous children and their families, often resulting in long-lasting trauma and loss of cultural identity.
3. Many boarding schools operated under harsh conditions, with strict discipline and limited contact with family members, causing emotional distress for the children.
4. The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 was a legislative response aimed at reversing some of the damage caused by boarding school policies by promoting the placement of Indigenous children with their families or tribes.
5. The legacy of boarding school policies continues to affect Native American communities today, contributing to ongoing struggles with cultural identity, familial connections, and community cohesion.

Review Questions

• How did boarding school policies impact the family structure within Indigenous communities?
  • Boarding school policies severely disrupted family structures within Indigenous communities by forcibly removing children from their homes and placing them in institutions designed to promote assimilation. This separation led to a breakdown of traditional familial roles and relationships, as parents lost access to their children during crucial developmental years. As a result, many Indigenous families experienced long-term trauma and disconnection from their cultural heritage, which affected multiple generations.
• Evaluate the psychological effects on Indigenous children who attended boarding schools under these policies.
  • Indigenous children who attended boarding schools faced significant psychological challenges due to the traumatic experiences of separation from their families and exposure to rigid disciplinary environments. Many suffered from feelings of isolation, abandonment, and loss of identity as they were taught to reject their cultural backgrounds. This emotional distress often manifested in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, impacting their ability to form healthy relationships later in life.
• Assess the long-term consequences of boarding school policies on contemporary Indigenous communities and their cultural revival efforts.
  • The long-term consequences of boarding school policies are evident in contemporary Indigenous communities where issues related to cultural disconnection and trauma still persist. Many individuals are working actively to revive their languages, traditions, and cultural practices that were suppressed by these policies. However, the impact of historical trauma complicates these revival efforts as many community members struggle with issues related to identity and belonging. Addressing this legacy is crucial for healing and revitalization within these communities as they seek to reclaim their cultural heritage.

Related terms

Assimilation: The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often resulting in the loss of their original culture.

Cultural genocide: The deliberate destruction of a group's culture, including language, religion, and traditions, often through policies that seek to erase their identity.

Indian Residential Schools: Institutions established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Canada and the United States to educate Native American children in a manner that promoted assimilation into Euro-American society.