Chilocco – Chapter 2

Flandreau Indian School
Originally uploaded by Revrend117

The second chapter allows the reader to gather a sense of the “Chilocco Student Experience” by reading the narratives of experiences of former students. From their arrival to dormitory life, the documented experiences of the young boys and girls were varied.

It is evidenced that initially, attendance in the Chilocco Boarding School was most often forcible. However, during the 1920’s, boarding school seemed a more suitable economical choice in education for many Native American families. Most families were impoverished even before the era of the Great Depression. To some, it made sense to send their children to a school that would provide room, board, and clothing for their children while offering them an education. There are even accounts of children seeking admission to the Chilocco School themselves for various reasons. The enrollment at Chilocco School was in fact increasing.

Eventually, most Indian Boarding Schools had made the transition of phasing out the primary grades altogether. This did not mean that life at a boarding school would change significantly. The quality of life and education was poor, the schedules remained rigorous, and the discipline harsh. The structure maintained its military influence.

I am reminded of my own experiences attending boarding school. My husband attended one as well. Separately, we each chose to attend for our own reasons. Our reasons for attending and experiences were similar and we have that commonality. But many of my friends were “shipped” off to boarding school. I can be certain that their experiences and memories would differ from my own.

Is there a place for Indian boarding schools in today’s society? I think that there could be. But I do not agree that there is with the fashion that many currently exist in. A break from the past with the addition of cultural relevance, improved living conditions and educational practices would serve most well.

There will always be a stigma for the boarding school with the Native American. I wonder where I would be without my boarding school experience?

**Click on the title of the post to visit the Flandreau Indian Boarding School website and get a glimps of modern life at an Indian boarding school.  Make sure to visit the rules under the "Dorm Life" link on the page.  Life remains regimented.