USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -At boarding schools, Indian children were separated from their families and cultural ways for long periods, sometimes four or more years. The children were forced to cut their hair and give up their traditional clothing. They had to give up their meaningful Native names and take English ones.

Detailed explanation-2: -Records show that everything from speaking an Aboriginal language, to bedwetting, running away, smiling at children of the opposite sex or at one’s siblings, provoked whippings, strappings, beatings, and other forms of abuse and humiliation. In some cases children were ‘punished’ for no apparent reason.

Detailed explanation-3: -Many parents sent their children because Native children were not permitted to attend local public schools with white students, making assimilation boarding schools the only available opportunity for formal education. The federal government’s views on educating Native children were rooted in racism and prejudice.