I chose to look into the education system that was provided to the Indian children at this time. I say provided, however; I don't feel that word is actually fitting for the situation they faced during the 1800-1900s. After reading the online article provided in module 3, Assimilation through Education: Indian Boarding Schools in the Pacific Northeast, I was able to get a more in depth "view" of how the education system was set up for Indian children.
I will say that it really put me off and part of me shouldn't be surprised about that based on what we have learned so far in this course, especially regarding the unfair and terrible treatment that they faced on a daily basis. One sentence that really stood out to me in the article was "reformers believed that with proper education and treatment Indians could become just like other citizens...it would turn them into patriotic and productive members of society" (Marr). I kept saying to myself, "but they are citizens, they were the first 'citizens' in this country, they are productive, do they believe that American farmers are not productive too? or are they considered productive because they are American and not Indian? What is the difference between productivity/farming? Skin color? Culture?" That small sentence really got me going for a little while and it just goes to show how simple minded we as a society were during that time period.
I don't believe that providing education was a bad thing but I do believe what was bad was how they went about it. In Nabokov it was stated that Indian children were ripped from their families and forced to attend these schools. The children did not want to leave and their parents did not want them to go either. The missionary schools taught religion to the children but the way I see it is they already knew and practiced religion so I don't really see where there was a benefit there.
In the article it mentioned that children would attempt to run away from the boarding schools. If they got caught they were punished. "Two girls were caught and tied up by their legs and arms and forced to stand in the hallway. If they were caught laying on the floor they were whipped and forced to continue standing" (Marr). That's not really providing proper education which is why I mentioned earlier it is hard to say "provide" when I don't feel there was anything productive being done. All that they were teaching the Indian children was to fear the 'white man' even more and that their culture was not respected. However, some things that the Indian children claimed that they enjoyed were the sports and mostly outdoor activities.
Thankfully, schools are not like this anymore. All because the Native's practiced and lived in a different cultural society they felt they could force them into learning the "White American" way.
http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/marr.html#positives
I agree with you that granting natives to be educated on other things wasn't a bad idea but like you mention , how they went about it is atrocious. Some of the other sources on module 3 like the Indian Boarding School Resources page also has a lot of videos about this. For me it was very touching to see and hear the testimonies of natives that went to these boarding schools. Many were stripped from their dignity and lived in fear of being who they were. that is a terrible way to live.
ReplyDeleteThe proper education of Native American children is very important for their future. The video "Educating to End Inequity" shows how schools for Native Americans have transitioned from an assimilation tool to legitimate learning centers. The Santa Fe Indian school purposely includes Native American culture in its teachings and reinforces the students Native American heritage. By employing as many Native American teachers as possible giving students and teachers a shared heritage and perspectives. The school also recognizes the relevance of cultural education that occurs outside of the classroom and engages the community to aid in the education of the communities children.
ReplyDeleteEducating to End Inequity. Films On Demand. Films Media Group, 2000. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.