This Day The Truth Inside Indian Boarding Schools (1928/2025) w/ Dana Hedgpeth
Feb 25, 2025
Dana Hedgpeth, a reporter for The Washington Post and an enrolled member of the Hollowa Saponi tribe, discusses her groundbreaking investigation into Indian boarding schools. She reveals the horrifying legacy of these institutions designed to 'Americanize' Native American children, where nearly 3,000 deaths occurred. The conversation delves into the traumatic experiences of survivors, the systemic erasure of cultural identities, and the essential role of storytelling in reclaiming these narratives and confronting a dark history.
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Difficulty in Uncovering Boarding School History
- Getting accurate information on Native American boarding schools is difficult due to poor record-keeping and intentional destruction.
- Additionally, the decentralized and varied record-keeping practices across different schools make comprehensive analysis challenging.
Life Inside Native American Boarding Schools
- Native American boarding schools aimed to assimilate children, often through harsh methods, stripping them of their language and culture.
- These schools prioritized basic rote learning over comprehensive education and cultural understanding.
Cultural Erasure and Exploitation
- The boarding schools weren't just about taking on a white identity, but about cultural destruction and exploitation.
- The skills taught often lacked practical value for the students' lives after leaving the schools.