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Native American Boarding Schools During The 19th And 20th Century

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American Indian boarding schools, emerging in the 19th and 20th centuries, were driven by a systematic agenda to assimilate Native American children into white society, as a means to commit cultural genocide as opposed to physical genocide. These institutions sought to erase Native languages, traditions, and identities, leading to perpetuating cycles of intergenerational trauma and socio-economic disparities, that have left enduring scars on the Indigenous community. The inception of Native American boarding schools during the 19th and 20th centuries was rooted in a systematic effort to erase indigenous cultures and assimilate Native American children into white society, embodying a form of cultural genocide. Initially established to provide Christian instruction to Native Americans, the focus shifted towards targeting …show more content…

Moreover, this means that though there are no longer residential schools, their harm cannot yet be forgotten as many Native peoples’ have yet to find any healing. Despite some legislative efforts, such as the Indian Child Protection Act, the lack of adequate healing services and redress sustains this cycle of suffering (Native American Boarding Schools, n.d.). Furthermore, the socio-economic fallout of historical trauma, including barriers to education and opportunity, exacerbates the challenges faced by modern Native youth. The pervasive impact of these factors makes it exceedingly difficult for Native individuals, both historically and in contemporary times, to excel in education, as they are hindered by systemic barriers that impede academic success and limit access to resources and opportunities. The legacy of Native American boarding schools is a harrowing testament to the destructive and horrific impact of cultural genocide inflicted upon indigenous

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916 Words | 4 Pages

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