Kill the Indian, Save the Child

Author

Louis Joseph
October 01, 2023

Kill the Indian, Save the Child

September 30th is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools

A Stolen Childhood

 

The Indian boarding schools, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were institutions designed to forcibly assimilate Native children into Euro-American culture. These schools stripped Native children of their cultural identities, languages, and traditions. They aimed to erase the beautiful and intricate cultures and replace them with Western values, customs, and beliefs.

The harsh realities within these schools are a testament to the cruelty inflicted upon Native children. They were forcibly removed from their families and communities, often transported vast distances to schools that were sometimes hundreds of miles away. The trauma of separation from loved ones left deep scars that have lasted far beyond a single generation.

 

Cultural Erasure

 

One of the most devastating aspects of the Indian boarding schools was the deliberate suppression of Native languages and cultural practices. Children were forbidden from speaking their native languages, practicing their traditional customs, or wearing their traditional clothing. This cultural erasure not only disconnected them from their heritage but also instilled a sense of shame in their identity. Upon returning home many children would have difficulty in communicating with their parents, whom for the most part, understood very little English.  

The consequences of this cultural suppression are still felt today. Many Native communities are struggling to reclaim their languages and traditions, and the loss of cultural knowledge has had deep impacts on tribal identity and unity.

 

Physical and Emotional Abuse

 

Many former students have recounted stories of physical and emotional abuse they endured at the hands of school staff. Corporal punishment, inhumane living conditions, and inadequate healthcare were disturbingly common. The emotional toll of being torn from one's family and subjected to these conditions cannot be overstated.

The trauma inflicted upon the children in these schools left deep emotional scars that continue to affect Tribal communities to this very day. Mental health, substance abuse, and family dynamics seem to be the areas that have suffered the most. Many experts refer to these lingering negative effects as historical trauma.

 

Reckoning with the Past

 

Acknowledging the brutal truth of Indian boarding schools is an essential step towards reconciliation and healing. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to uncover the cruelty of these schools and their lasting impacts. This includes efforts to document the stories of survivors and their descendants, as well as initiatives to preserve and revitalize Native languages and cultures.

As a society, we must confront this history with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to change. We must all stand in solidarity with Tribal communities as they continue to heal from the wounds of the past and work towards a brighter future that celebrates and preserves their vibrant cultural heritage.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the legacy of Indian boarding schools is one of remembrance, reconciliation, and a commitment to never let such atrocities happen again. Only through acknowledging this painful history can we move forward as a nation, promoting  a more inclusive and loving society for all.

If you don’t know, now you know, a Native.

Going on 100 years of voting…..sorta

Natives in America haven’t enjoyed citizenship or the right to vote for very long. Next year it will be exactly a century, but that century hasn’t been without scandle. Many attempts to block or silence the Native vote have continued to occur over the years, and this news story is no different.

A federal judge has blocked a 2022 Arizona law that voting-rights advocates say would have made it harder for some Native Americans to vote. House Bill 2492 required that all registered voters provide proof of a physical address to cast a ballot. But the Native American Rights Fund contends more than 40,000 homes located on reservations do not have a physical address.

Allison Neswood, staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, is pleased with the decision, which ensures that citizens living in Tribal communities can vote.

"Wanting to make sure that a new law that's sort of targeting the specific structural issues that Natives face was really important, I think, for the tribes who participated in the case, and who brought the issue forward and wanted to make sure that these addressing issues didn't get lost," she contended.

Neswood explained the judge's ruling means the bill's addressing requirement must be liberally interpreted so that no one is required to have a standard street address in order to vote. This also means a voter's identity can be verified at the polling place using an Arizona-issued ID that lists a P.O. box or any tribal identification document.

Neswood argued cases like this show tribal members care a lot about being able to exercise their voting rights - and will defend those rights when threatened. She added Natives across the country face what she calls "overlapping barriers," which can make civic engagement more challenging in these communities.

"These systemic issues stacked on top of each other make it harder for Natives to access the ballot," she continued. "And then, of course, just because of the historical treatment of Native people, we have higher rates of poverty, higher rates of homelessness, which just increases the challenges of navigating all of those barriers."

She added using addresses in voter registration and election processes already make it hard for Natives to participate in elections, even without the new law. Last year, then-Governor Doug Ducey signed the law, citing efforts to instill election integrity and prohibit attempts to vote illegally.

Wendy Red Star - Apsáalooke

Wendy Red Star, a visionary Native artist, was born in 1981 on the Apsáalooke (Crow) Reservation in Montana. Her groundbreaking work has redefined the intersection of contemporary art and Indigenous culture, challenging stereotypes and inviting viewers to explore the complexities of identity, history, and the enduring power of storytelling.

Growing up on the Crow Reservation, Wendy Red Star was deeply immersed in her Apsáalooke heritage. Her artistic journey began at an early age, inspired by the rich traditions of her community, particularly the art of beadwork and textile design. This cultural foundation would become a driving force behind her creative expression.

Red Star's art is a vibrant tapestry of mediums, including photography, sculpture, fiber arts, and performance. Her work often explores themes of cultural representation, colonialism, and the ongoing impact of historical narratives on Native peoples.

One of her most celebrated series, "The Four Seasons," reimagines historical photographs of Apsáalooke individuals, introducing viewers to the complexities of identity and the idea that Native people are not frozen in time but are living cultures with deep-rooted traditions that continue to evolve.

Her installation, "Apsáalooke Feminist #1," which featured a life-size diorama of an Apsáalooke "Crow Women's Society" meeting, challenges prevailing notions of Native American gender roles and underscores the agency and leadership roles that Native women have held throughout history.

Her groundbreaking art has garnered widespread recognition, with her work exhibited in renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Hood Museum of Art. Her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Native aesthetics with contemporary art forms has captivated audiences around the world.

Her commitment to education and cultural preservation is also evident through her work as an educator and lecturer. Red Star has shared her insights and experiences with students and the public, furthering the understanding and appreciation of Native cultures and contemporary Indigenous art.

In a world where art serves as a powerful vehicle for change and understanding, Wendy Red Star's life and work inspire us to challenge preconceptions, embrace cultural diversity, and honor the enduring legacy of Natives.

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