Unseen Tears: The Native American Boarding School Experience in Western New York Part 1

Summary

The transcript reflects personal accounts of Indigenous experiences in residential schools, where children were taken from their families, stripped of their culture, and subjected to harsh conditions. The discussion reveals how policies of the past sought to 'civilize' Native populations by eradicating their languages, customs, and identities. It covers the emotional and physical trauma endured, including isolation, abuse, and cultural erasure, as well as the lasting psychological effects on survivors. The narrative touches on the systemic oppression that Indigenous people faced and highlights the importance of remembering these dark chapters of history.

Takeaways

• 😔 The song 'One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians' reflects a dark history of violence and dehumanization against Indigenous people.
• 😕 Children were dressed in uniforms at government-run schools, separating them from their cultural roots.
• 🤔 Indigenous children were told not to trust or listen to white people but were not given clear explanations why.
• 🏫 Government schools and hospitals were introduced as part of the colonization process, aiming to 'civilize' Indigenous people.
• ❓ There is little public knowledge or discussion about the origins and impact of residential schools, with audiences unaware of their historical context.
• 🔫 The initial policy toward Indigenous people was extermination, but this later shifted to cultural genocide — 'killing the Indian, saving the man.'
• 👨‍⚕️ General Pratt's infamous quote 'kill the Indian, save the man' represents the mindset of dehumanizing Indigenous cultures.
• 🛏️ Survivors of these schools recount emotional and physical trauma, including being separated from family and subjected to harsh punishments.
• ✂️ Children had their hair cut off upon arrival, symbolizing the stripping away of their cultural identity.
• 🥺 Many survivors reflect on the deep psychological impact these experiences had on their sense of self, trust, and identity.

Q & A

What is the song 'One Little Two Little Three Little Indians' about?

The song is about counting dead Indians, reflecting a dark period in history when Indigenous people were subjected to violence and extermination.

What was the initial policy towards Indigenous people as mentioned in the script?

The initial policy was 'the only good Indian is a dead one,' advocating for the extermination of Indigenous people.

How did the policy towards Indigenous people change over time?

The policy shifted from outright killing to 'killing the Indian and saving the man,' which meant assimilating Indigenous people into white society by forcibly removing their cultural identities.

Who was General Pratt and what was his contribution to the policy?

General Pratt was known for the phrase 'to kill the Indian and save the man,' advocating for the cultural assimilation of Indigenous people through education.

What were residential schools and why were they established?

Residential schools were institutions established to assimilate Indigenous children into Western culture. They were part of a policy to 'civilize' Indigenous people by severing their ties to their culture and traditions.

What was the experience of the speaker at the Mush Hole boarding school?

The speaker experienced a harsh and traumatic upbringing at the Mush Hole boarding school, where they were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, cultural erasure, and were separated from their family.

Why were the children referred to as 'Mush Hole Baldies'?

The children were called 'Mush Hole Baldies' because they had their hair cut off upon arrival at the Mush Hole boarding school, leaving them bald.

What was the impact of the boarding school experience on the speaker's perception of their upbringing?

The speaker initially thought their upbringing was normal, but after leaving the boarding school, they realized the mistreatment and abuse they had endured.

How were the children punished for speaking their native language at the boarding school?

Children were punished by having their mouths washed out with soap for speaking their native language, as part of the effort to suppress their cultural identity.

What was the purpose of the dark press room mentioned in the script?

The dark press room was used as a form of solitary confinement and psychological punishment, where children were locked in the dark, often told that rats would get them, as a means to control and intimidate them.

What was the significance of the numbers given to the children at the boarding school?

The numbers given to the children were used to dehumanize them, replacing their names with identifiers. This was part of the process to strip them of their individuality and cultural identity.