Chilocco Indian School - Chapter 1

Chilocco Indian School
Originally uploaded by KariHosar

Native Americans have long since suffered under the tyranny of the United States Government. The founding of the Indian Boarding School system was just one of many injustices brought upon the Native American population during the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s. The systematic, forcible, and coerced removal of generations of Native American children from their families and communities has left a lasting and adverse impression upon the generations of today. Do we continue to suffer or choose to use the tools we have at our disposal to move forward and create a new history for our future generations?

Since the beginning of the “Boarding School Era”, the Federal Government and the Christian church have dictated how the American Indian is to fit into society. With the steady encroachment and reduction of our lands, we have in fact been faced with the inevitable task of conforming to European and modern American ways of life. However, with the resurgent renaissance of our culture, we are finding ways to exist successfully within both worlds while maintaining our cultural identity.

The present and future of Native American education is bright. An increase in the number of Native American teachers and administrators, although slight, gives me a positive opinion on the outlook of improved educational practices and cultural relevance within the classroom. I am honored to become a part of the new history of American Indian education in our country. Although the transition is and will be arduous, I happily count myself among many others in education that welcome the challenge to make a brighter future for Native American education.

***Click on the Post title to view:  Native American Rights Fund – Pdf. “The Merriam Report”