American History Hit The Truth About Native American Boarding Schools
Jun 12, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Mary Annette Pember, an author and member of the Ojibwe Nation, shares her insights into the harrowing legacy of Native American boarding schools. She explores their roots as tools of cultural assimilation, exposing the trauma faced by children who were forcibly removed from their families. Pember recounts personal stories, emphasizing resilience and the enduring effects on Native communities. The conversation also touches on the ongoing quest for reconciliation and the significance of telling diverse historical narratives.
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Embedded Terminology and Assimilation
- The term "Indian" is embedded in law and institutions, forcing some continued use despite its inaccuracy.
- Native American boarding schools were part of a federal assimilation policy designed to "civilize" and Westernize Native children by erasing their culture.
Erasing Identity by Forced Removal
- Native American children were forcibly removed from homes to boarding schools to erase their cultural identity.
- The new imposed Western lifestyle taught work routines and religion foreign to Native societies.
Health Crisis in Boarding Schools
- Boarding schools were underfunded, causing malnutrition, disease, and high death rates among Native children.
- Tuberculosis spread through schools and was carried back to Native communities, worsening health outcomes.