Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools [FULL DOCUMENTARY]

PBS Utah

6 chapters7 takeaways10 key terms5 questions

Overview

This documentary explores the history and lasting impact of Native American boarding schools in the United States. Established with the explicit goal of forced assimilation, these schools aimed to 'kill the Indian to save the man' by stripping children of their language, culture, and identity. The film details the harsh realities of these institutions, including physical and emotional abuse, separation from families, and the profound intergenerational trauma they inflicted. It also touches upon the historical context of westward expansion, the government's policies towards Native Americans, and the ongoing efforts towards cultural preservation and self-determination.

How was this?

Save this permanently with flashcards, quizzes, and AI chat

Chapters

Native American boarding schools were part of a deliberate government policy of assimilation.
The core aim was to strip Native children of their cultural identity, including language, clothing, and traditions.
The philosophy was to 'kill the Indian and save the man,' eradicating Native heritage.
Children were forcibly removed from their families and communities, causing immense distress and longing for home.

Understanding the 'assimilation' policy is crucial to grasping the intent behind the boarding schools and the deep harm they caused by attacking Native identity.

Children's hair was cut, and they were forced to wear uniforms, symbolizing the erasure of their cultural markers.

European explorers and subsequent westward expansion led to increased encroachment on Native lands.
Events like the Lewis and Clark expedition publicized the West, encouraging settler migration.
Policies like the 1868 Navajo Treaty and the 1887 Dawes Act reinforced the reservation system and assimilation.
Forced removals, such as the Navajo's 'Long Walk' to Bosque Redondo, highlight the government's aggressive land acquisition and control tactics.

This context explains the broader political and social forces that created the conditions for the boarding school system to be implemented.

The Navajo were forced to march to Bosque Redondo, a barren reservation where nearly two thousand died, as a precursor to treaty provisions mandating education for their children.

Schools like Carlisle, Haskell, and Sherman were established with military-like precision.
Children faced severe punishments for speaking their native languages or practicing their traditions.
Abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, was prevalent.
Separation from family was a key component of the agenda to gain full control over the children.

This chapter details the daily experiences and the systemic abuse that Native children endured, illustrating the devastating reality of the assimilation policy.

Students were punished with methods like standing on their knees for extended periods, having dictionaries placed on their heads, or being confined to small jail-like cells.

The trauma inflicted by boarding schools has been passed down through generations.
This trauma manifests as mental health issues, low self-esteem, poverty, and substance abuse.
The loss of cultural knowledge and language continues to impact families and communities.
Many survivors and their descendants struggle with 'boarding school syndrome,' often without fully understanding its origins.

Recognizing the intergenerational trauma is essential for understanding the ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities today.

Survivors describe lingering sadness and emotional pain from being left at school during holidays, highlighting the profound sense of abandonment.

Despite the oppressive environment, Native cultures and relationships were sometimes strengthened.
The Civil Rights Era and acts like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (1975) empowered tribes.
Tribal communities are increasingly taking control of their own education systems, like the Santa Fe Indian School.
Efforts are underway to reclaim and celebrate Native languages, cultures, and identities.

This chapter showcases the resilience of Native peoples and their ongoing fight for cultural preservation and self-determination.

The Santa Fe Indian School, now owned and operated by 19 Pueblos, focuses on nurturing Native identity, a stark contrast to the assimilationist goals of earlier schools.

Apologies have been issued, but many Native people seek more substantial actions and recognition.
The legacy of boarding schools continues to influence societal perceptions, seen in issues like sports mascots.
Navajo Code Talkers exemplify the strength of Native languages, which were suppressed in boarding schools.
Remembering the children who died and never returned home is vital for healing and ensuring a better future.

This section addresses the current state of reckoning with the past and the path forward, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and continued advocacy.

The story of the Navajo Code Talkers highlights how the very languages forbidden in boarding schools became crucial national assets.

Key takeaways

1The Native American boarding school system was a deliberate, systematic effort to eradicate Indigenous cultures and identities through forced assimilation.
2These schools inflicted profound and lasting intergenerational trauma on Native individuals, families, and communities.
3Despite immense adversity, Native peoples have demonstrated remarkable resilience, actively working to preserve their cultures and languages.
4The fight for self-determination is central to Native American communities reclaiming control over their education and futures.
5Understanding the history of boarding schools is essential for acknowledging past injustices and supporting ongoing healing and reconciliation efforts.
6The suppression of Native languages in boarding schools contrasts sharply with their later recognition as vital cultural and even national assets (e.g., Code Talkers).
7The legacy of boarding schools continues to impact Native communities, influencing mental health, social issues, and cultural pride.

Key terms

AssimilationBoarding SchoolsKill the Indian, Save the ManIntergenerational TraumaCultural GenocideDawes ActCarlisle Indian Industrial SchoolSelf-DeterminationBoarding School SyndromeUnmarked Graves

Test your understanding

1What was the primary goal of the Native American boarding school policy, and how was it intended to be achieved?
2How did the historical context of westward expansion contribute to the implementation of boarding schools?
3Describe the typical living conditions and disciplinary methods experienced by children in these boarding schools.
4What are the long-term psychological and cultural consequences of the boarding school experience for Native American communities?
5In what ways have Native American communities resisted assimilation and asserted their right to self-determination in education and cultural preservation?