Sec. Haaland on healing from the indoctrination, dehumanization at Indian boarding schools

Summary

In this interview, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland discusses the dark history of Native American boarding schools, where indigenous children were forcibly assimilated, often suffering abuse and death. Haaland, whose own family was impacted, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging this history to begin healing for the affected communities. She speaks about the Federal Boarding School Initiative, aimed at uncovering the truth and addressing the intergenerational trauma caused by these institutions.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The United States had a history of operating boarding schools for Native American children, aimed at assimilating them into mainstream society.
• 😔 These boarding schools were linked to trauma, abuse, and deaths, with children forcibly taken from their families.
• 📉 At the peak, over 80% of Native American school-aged children were enrolled in these institutions, which were often run by religious groups or the federal government.
• 🔚 The boarding school era ended in the 1960s, but its effects continue to resonate, leading to a federal investigation to uncover the truth.
• 🙏 Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, herself a descendant of boarding school survivors, is leading the effort to address this dark chapter in American history.
• 🤔 The Federal Boarding School Initiative aims to uncover the fate of children who died in these schools and to provide answers to affected families.
• 🗣️ The policy behind the boarding schools was rooted in the belief that Native Americans needed to be 'civilized', reflecting a deeply ingrained dehumanization.
• 💪 Despite the challenges, many Native Americans, like Haaland's grandparents, persevered and maintained their cultural heritage.
• 🤝 The process of reconciliation and healing involves tribal participation and is seen as a trust obligation from the federal government to Native tribes.
• 🏛️ The transformation of former boarding school sites, such as Carlisle, into places of learning and remembrance is part of the healing process.
• ❤️ Haaland expresses the complexity of loving a country with a painful history, but also a potential for living up to its democratic ideals.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the boarding schools for Native American children in the United States?

The boarding schools were created to reshape and reeducate Native American children, removing them from their communities and families with the aim of indoctrinating them into mainstream society, stripping them of their languages and cultures.

How long did the practice of Native American boarding schools last in the United States?

The practice lasted for over 150 years, with the boarding schools operating until the 1960s.

Who typically ran the Native American boarding schools?

The boarding schools were often run by religious groups, and some were operated by the federal government.

What percentage of Native American school-aged children were in boarding schools during the 1920s?

Over 80 percent of Native American school-aged children were in these boarding schools during the 1920s.

What is the Federal Boarding School Initiative, and what does it aim to do?

The Federal Boarding School Initiative is a new federal investigation under the Department of the Interior aimed at uncovering the truth about the boarding schools, addressing the historical trauma, and beginning a healing process for the affected families.

What challenges does Interior Secretary Deb Haaland face in addressing the history of boarding schools?

Secretary Haaland faces the challenge of addressing the historical trauma and injustices faced by Native Americans, while also working towards healing and ensuring that tribes have a voice in the process.

How does Secretary Haaland's personal history relate to the boarding school era?

Secretary Haaland's grandparents were part of the assimilation era and attended boarding schools, which directly connects her personal history to the boarding school era and its impacts.

What was the mindset behind the boarding schools as exemplified by the quote from the Civil War veteran?

The mindset behind the boarding schools was encapsulated by the quote 'Kill the Indian in him and save the man,' which reflects the belief that Native American culture and identity needed to be eradicated to assimilate them into mainstream society.

How does Secretary Haaland view the role of Native Americans in the United States today, particularly in terms of military service?

Secretary Haaland points out that Native Americans have the highest rate of military service, highlighting their significant contribution and dedication to defending the country despite historical injustices.

What is the Department of the Interior's approach to investigating the boarding school era?

The Department of the Interior, under Secretary Haaland, is approaching the investigation with a focus on healing and providing answers to affected families, emphasizing the federal government's trust obligation to Indian tribes.

How does Secretary Haaland reconcile her love for the United States with its history of committing acts against Native Americans?

Secretary Haaland reconciles this by acknowledging her ancestral homelands, her commitment to democracy, and her belief in the country's potential to live up to its promise to its citizens, while also working to address historical wrongs.