For Tala Tootoosis, a ribbon skirt is a powerful symbol of survival. Her grandmother attended a boarding school where she was forbidden to speak her language and the school tried to cut her hair. Despite her experiences, her grandmother encouraged her to wear ribbon skirts. Her culture has also helped Tootoosis battle her own issues. […]
Stewart Indian School has received funding to renovate several buildings. When the school first opened in 1890, students lived in a military-style environment and punishments were severe. After the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), the school eased up on assimilation policies and traditional cultural activities became part of the school curriculum. The renovation plans for the […]
Accurate Native American history and narratives are often missing in the curriculum taught in schools across the United States. This article provides links to several resources about Native American issues including the Indian Boarding School era, along with forms of resistance, such as investing in cultural and language revitalization programs. Read Article Here Read PDF […]
Chemawa Indian School, a historic boarding school in Oregon, has come under intense scrutiny from both the Congress, and parents who have children attending the school. Budget cuts, school safety, academic quality, and the ability of teachers to help students who have experienced trauma are issues of concern. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is […]
Every year the Genoa U.S. School Reunion/Celebration is held in Nebraska. Even though most of the students who attended the school have passed away, their descendants gather to remember their family history, tour the school, and learn about boarding schools in the U.S. It is also a celebration of the culture of those who attended […]
Brad Marsden is a residential school facilitator and suicide awareness and personal growth advocate. His blog has resources about residential schools including videos, news articles, and interviews. Access Blog Here Source: Marsden, Brad. Fire Across the Land (blog). http://fireacrosstheland.blogspot.com/
The free educational resources were developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee and the First Nations School Association. They are designed for 5th, 10th and 11th/12 grade. The goal of these resources is to help ALL students gain an understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada through a historic lens. […]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement that the federal government will go ahead with plans to create a holiday dedicated to reconciliation with Indigenous groups in Canada . The holiday will focus on remembering the residential school era and continue the reconciliation process. The creation of a holiday is one of 94 recommendations by […]
This clip is from the mini-series “Into the West.” It depicts the moment children arrived at Carlisle and were forced to wear western clothes, take on English names, and cut their hair. Watch Video Here Source: carynfmiller. “Into the West-Carlisle Indian School.” YouTube video, 9:57. Posted [September 17, 2011]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfRHqWCz3Zw
Sexual abuse was common in residential schools across Canada. As a result from the trauma experienced in residential schools, much of the trauma has spilled over into Indigenous communities. Proposed solutions for dealing with this issue include restorative justice practices. Justice Murray Sinclair, the former chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) spent 6 […]
This video shows the federal government of Canada delivering an apology for the atrocities they committed against First Nations’ children by forcibly removing them from their homes and sending them to residential schools. At these schools children suffered horrific abuse and trauma that many survivors carried into adulthood. As a result of their experiences, many […]
This event was held to remember the children and the families whose lives were impacted by Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School. There was an early morning ceremony at the cemetery. Events included a pipe ceremony, guest speakers, remembering the deceased, and Jingle Dress Dancers with a healing dance, and a silent auction. Read Article […]
