For over 150 years, Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and placed in boarding schools by the federal government. These schools were established with the intention of assimilating Native American children into mainstream American society and eradicating their cultural identity. The children faced severe abuse and neglect at these schools, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect of their basic needs. Many children faced harsh discipline and punishment, including being beaten, starved, and forced to do hard labor.
The conditions in these boarding schools were often overcrowded and unsanitary, leading to the spread of diseases and epidemics among the children. Many children suffered from malnutrition and lack of proper medical care, which exacerbated their already traumatic experiences. The schools were run by religious organizations, primarily Christian denominations, who sought to “civilize” the Native American children by forcibly converting them to Christianity and forbidding them from practicing their own cultural traditions and beliefs.
The trauma inflicted on Native American children in these boarding schools had long-lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Many survivors of the boarding school system have experienced intergenerational trauma, passing down the effects of their own trauma to future generations. The loss of cultural identity and connection to their communities has had devastating consequences for Native American individuals and families, leading to high rates of addiction, suicide, and other mental health issues within Native American communities.
Despite the detrimental impact of the boarding school system on Native American children and communities, it was not until the late 1960s that the federal government began to dismantle the boarding school system. The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 affirmed the rights of Native Americans to practice their own religions and maintain their cultural traditions, marking a significant shift in government policy towards Native American communities. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the atrocities committed against Native American children in boarding schools, and efforts have been made to address the historical trauma and seek justice for survivors.
The legacy of the boarding school system continues to haunt Native American communities to this day, as they struggle to heal from the trauma of the past and reclaim their cultural identity. Many survivors of the boarding school system are sharing their stories and advocating for justice and reparations for the abuses they suffered. It is important for the federal government and society as a whole to acknowledge and take responsibility for the harm inflicted on Native American children in boarding schools, and to work towards healing and reconciliation with Native American communities. Only through recognition and acknowledgment of the past can true healing and justice be achieved for the survivors and their descendants.
