Montooth, a descendant of Stewart Indian School survivors, has never attended, but the school’s impact on her family is felt through many generations. “My grandma, who was only four at the time she was taken to school, was brought up in a Stewart Indian School.” [to Stewart]She says that she was raised by her mothers in a violent environment. “She never got the chance to learn how to be a parent from her parents. In my family, this experience led to violence, alcoholism and generational pain. “I have relatives who will never step foot outside because our grandmother was abused regularly.”
Stewart’s experience was not the only one. In the 19th century and beyond, there were at minimum 526 Indian boarding schools The United States has 417 schools, of which 417 receive federal funding. The remaining are supported by religious groups. The ongoing research by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization dedicated to raising national awareness of the trauma caused by boarding schools and boarding school experiences on Native communities. The team has created an interactive digital map Partnering with Canada’s National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation The Indian Boarding Schools Directory is a resource for educators and travelers to find Indian boarding school in the 38 US states. CanadaThis article highlights which destinations have a museum, or cultural experience that visitors can enjoy to learn about the painful period of North American history.
Samuel Torres is the NABS deputy chief executive officer. He says, “This list offers travelers a unique opportunity to understand how this history impacts America as a whole.” The goal is to expose the truth. Although the sheer number of schools is staggering, it’s important to remember that this is only a small part of a much larger story about forced assimilation of Native Americans and their resilience in response. The fact that these schools have been identified means a lot to so many individuals because they’ve experienced it themselves.”
The Indian boarding schools era in America began in 1819 when the Civilization Fund Act was passed. This act authorized the federal government’s funding to go to European American church leaders and missionaries to set up schools in primarily Native American territories. The federal government created the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1824 to implement boarding school to “civilizeNative Americans
All boarding schools had the same goal: “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.” This philosophy was first developed by what was probably the most notorious Indian boarding school. Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Carlisle, founded by US Army officer Richard Henry Pratt in 1879, served more than 140 Native American tribes for nearly 40 years. Abuse was rampantNearly 200 children died and are buried in the campus cemetery. Many nations still seek to return their ancestors’ remains. Nearly 200 kids are buried at the campus cemetery. Many nations still seek the remains of their ancestors.
It is the only US national monument to recognize the negative legacy of boarding schools. The monument was created in December 2024 by former president Joe BidenThe United States Army War College occupies the grounds of the former Carlisle school. Original spaces, such as the gym, bandstand and superintendent’s home, still remain. The school is located within a military installation and therefore, does not offer a typical museum experience. Instead, the best way to see Carlisle would be on a tour. scheduled walking tour The Cumberland County Historical Society is a great resource. The historical society hosts an permanent exhibit of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School The occasional rotating exhibits.)
