American Indian Boarding Schools

[The_Squid]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools

The experience of the schools was often harsh, especially for the younger children who were separated from their families. In numerous ways, they were encouraged or forced to abandon their Native American identities and cultures.[2] The number of Native American children in the boarding schools reached a peak in the 1970s, with an estimated enrollment of 60,000 in 1973. Investigations of the later twentieth century have revealed many documented cases of sexual, manual, physical and mental abuse occurring at such schools.[3]

Beyond physical and mental abuse, some school authorities sexually abused students as well. One former student retold, Intimidation and fear were very much present in our daily lives. For instance, we would cower from the abusive disciplinary practices of some superiors, such as the one who yanked my cousins ear hard enough to tear it. After a nine-year-old girl was raped in her dormitory bed during the night, we girls would be so scared that we would jump into each others bed as soon as the lights went out. The sustained terror in our hearts further tested our endurance, as it was better to suffer with a full bladder and be safe than to walk through the dark, seemingly endless hallway to the bathroom. When we were older, we girls anguished each time we entered the classroom of a certain male teacher who stalked and molested girls.

Very similar to the Canadian experience. The difference might be that Canada has owned up to the terrible situation, while the USA has yet to offer an apology or repirations.

No truth and reconcilliation commision in the USA.

Edited April 29, 2016 by The_Squid

[waldo]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools

Very similar to the Canadian experience. The difference might be that Canada has owned up to the terrible situation, while the USA has yet to offer an apology or repirations.

No truth and reconcilliation commision in the USA.

of course... that catch-phrase, "economies of scale", certainly applies when comparing the respective country initiatives... I read such figures as 130 'residential schools' in Canada (with some 150,000 children over time) as compared to estimates of a total of 500 'Indian Boarding Schools' in the U.S. with an indeterminate number of students...

the early formative history of Canada's residential schools shows that government officials traveled throughout the U.S. searching for reference models/practices. It appears a significant influence was that of the 'Carlisle Indian School' in Carlisle, Pennsylvania - opened in 1879 by its founder, U.S. Army Lt. Richard Pratt; he of the infamous phrase, "Kill the Indian, and Save the Man".

A great general has said that the only good Indian is a dead one, and that high sanction of his destruction has been an enormous factor in promoting Indian massacres. In a sense, I agree with the sentiment, but only in this: that all the Indian there is in the race should be dead. Kill the Indian in him, and save the man.

.

[overthere]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools

Very similar to the Canadian experience. The difference might be that Canada has owned up to the terrible situation, while the USA has yet to offer an apology or repirations.

No truth and reconcilliation commision in the USA.

Likely because the US has a very different view of the status of citizens. It is not officially multicultural, it is officially unilingual, and sees itself as a melting pot which is reflected in federal govt policy.

You are an American first and foremost, a Native American second. Lots of US folks identify themselves as being of a different race or ethnicity, but the hyphen is less important than the here and now. The irony that it applies equally to Natives as it does to immigrants is ignored.

The notion of First Nations is complete non starter in America. There is only one nation.