1. Foundations of Indian Education Tenets of Colonial Education Tenets of Colonial Education The Boarding School Experience The Boarding School Experience The Influence of History The Influence of History

2. “Take that axe and knock him on the head. I will gladly bury him. I would rather you do that than take him to school.”

3. Tenets of Colonial Education “Colonial Education” refers to the re- culturing and re-education of American Indians by the secular and religious institutions of colonizing nations.”

4. 1 Native Americans were savages and had to be civilized.

5. 2 Civilization required Christian conversion.

6. 3 Civilization required subordination of Native communities – which may be achieved by resettlement of Native people.

7. 4 Native people had mental, moral, physical, or cultural deficiencies that made certain pedagogical methods necessary for their education.

8. The Boarding School Experience “Kill the Indian, and save the man.” Richard Henry Pratt Founder, Indian Industrial School at Carlisle 1879

9. The transformation of Tom Torleno, Navajo, after three years at the Carlisle Industrial School, c. 1880’s

10. Boarding schools developed as an extension of the European American colonization process. Children forcibly removed from their families and forced to attend school. (Tenet 1 – Savage to Citizen) Children forcibly removed from their families and forced to attend school. (Tenet 1 – Savage to Citizen) Forced to practice Christian religion, punished for not “worshipping with the zeal” demanded by the teachers. (Tenet 2 – Christianization) Forced to practice Christian religion, punished for not “worshipping with the zeal” demanded by the teachers. (Tenet 2 – Christianization) Established far from reservations to sever contact with families. (Tenet 3 – Resettlement) Established far from reservations to sever contact with families. (Tenet 3 – Resettlement) Strict military-style regimentation, emphasis on manual labor, avoidance of higher academic training. (Tenet 4 – Pedagogical Methods) Strict military-style regimentation, emphasis on manual labor, avoidance of higher academic training. (Tenet 4 – Pedagogical Methods)

11. To be civilized… Forced to abandon traditional lifestyle and customs. Forced to abandon traditional lifestyle and customs. Forced to dress like European Americans. Forced to dress like European Americans. Forced to cut their hair. Forced to cut their hair. Forbidden to speak native languages. Forbidden to speak native languages. Forbidden to practice religious ceremonies. Forbidden to practice religious ceremonies. Distinct gender separation. Distinct gender separation.

12. The experience of boarding school oppression is still manifested in Indian education today. Low teacher expectations (at all levels). Low teacher expectations (at all levels). Lack of cultural sensitivity. Lack of cultural sensitivity. Curriculum – focus on Euro-American perspective. Curriculum – focus on Euro-American perspective. College campuses “alien” and “unfriendly.” College campuses “alien” and “unfriendly.”

13. Further Effects on Today Remnants of oppression still affect the daily intercourse of the two peoples – Indian/European American. Remnants of oppression still affect the daily intercourse of the two peoples – Indian/European American. American schooling has served as an instrument that emotionally scarred generations of innocent children – affecting future and present generations. American schooling has served as an instrument that emotionally scarred generations of innocent children – affecting future and present generations.

14. Education has ALWAYS been recognized as a necessity and an advantage by Indian people. “Remember that the whites are near us. With them we have constant intercourse, and you must be sensible, that unless you can speak their language, read and write as they do, they will be able to cheat you and trample on your rights.” - The Cherokee Phoenix