Boarding School Seasons Summary

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In "Boarding School Seasons'' author Brenda Child recounts the experiences of Native American children in boarding schools during the mid-nineteenth century. The boarding schools were established by Richard Henry Pratt, a former army officer, aiming to "Americanize'' and exert control over the indigenous students. Over time, these schools came under government management or religious organizations, all with the goal of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-American culture. There was no consideration for the children or their families, and the schools sought to strip the students of their cultural identity in order to achieve their goal of "Americanization." The book delves into the experiences faced by students across different institutions. …show more content…

“Former boarding school students remember being dealt with harshly for infractions of this rule. Beatings, swats from rulers, having one’s mouth washed with soap or lye,or being locked in the school jail were not uncommon punishments.” This kind of abuse occurred in all boarding schools and nothing was done about it. Many students spoke their native tongue in private and prayed in it. However, for many that wasn’t enough, they’re still unable to speak it out due to the intense abuse and assimilation. One student at Flaundrea Board School says he had forgotten most of his language because he was away from home for six years, and he’s one of many. Indigenous people are also known for their traditional clothing. Instead of wearing traditional clothing, students were given uniforms that followed the Euro-American standards. Boys typically wore military-style outfits, such as stiff-collared shirts, trousers, and belts. Girls typically wore plain dresses with stockings and sturdy shoes. The uniforms were extremely dull compared to Indigenous clothing. They were made of rough materials, and used for practicality rather than comfort or

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