Carlisle Indian Industrial School

Carlisle Indian Industrial School was a boarding school founded in 1879 by Richard Henry Pratt with the goal of assimilating Native Americans into American culture. The school was located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and its establishment was influenced by the Fort Laramie Treaty and the Dawes Act. The school's mission was to educate Native American children in European-American customs and values, and it was supported by organizations such as the Women's National Indian Association and the Indian Rights Association. The school's history is also connected to notable figures such as Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Red Cloud.

● History

The history of the school began with the vision of Richard Henry Pratt, who was inspired by his experiences at Fort Marion and the St. Augustine, Florida prison. Pratt believed that Native American children could be assimilated into American society through education and cultural assimilation. The school was established in 1879, and its first class consisted of 147 students from the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. The school's early years were marked by challenges such as disease, malnutrition, and cultural clashes, but it also had the support of organizations such as the American Missionary Association and the United States Indian Service. Notable events in the school's history include the Wounded Knee Massacre and the Ghost Dance movement, which had an impact on the school's students and staff, including Charles Eastman and Zitkala-Ša.

● Campus and Facilities

The campus of the school was located on a 400-acre farm in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and it included facilities such as dormitories, classrooms, and workshops. The school also had a farm and a garden, where students learned agriculture and horticulture skills. The campus was designed to resemble a European-American town, with buildings such as the Carlisle Barracks and the Letort Spring. The school's facilities were also used for events such as the Carlisle Indian School football games, which were played against teams from Harvard University, Princeton University, and the United States Military Academy. The school's campus was also visited by notable figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Francis E. Leupp.

● Curriculum and Daily Life

The curriculum of the school included subjects such as English language, mathematics, and vocational training. Students also learned skills such as carpentry, blacksmithing, and sewing. The daily life of students at the school was highly regimented, with a focus on discipline and obedience. Students were required to wear European-American clothing and to cut their hair in a European-American style. The school's curriculum and daily life were influenced by the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and the Tuskegee Institute, and they were also shaped by the ideas of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Notable staff members who contributed to the school's curriculum and daily life included Angel De Cora, William Mercer, and M. Friedman.

● Notable Alumni and Staff

The school had many notable alumni, including Jim Thorpe, Charles Eastman, and Zitkala-Ša. These individuals went on to become leaders in their communities and to make significant contributions to Native American rights and cultural preservation. The school's staff also included notable figures such as Richard Henry Pratt, Captain Richard C. Pratt, and Miss M.I. Richards. Other notable alumni and staff members included Luther Standing Bear, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, and Henry Roe Cloud. The school's alumni and staff were also connected to organizations such as the Society of American Indians and the National Congress of American Indians.

● Controversies and Legacy

The school was the subject of controversy and criticism, particularly with regard to its treatment of Native American students and its role in cultural assimilation. Many students experienced trauma and abuse at the school, and the school's policies and practices have been widely criticized as colonialist and racist. The school's legacy is also connected to the Indian boarding school system, which was established by the United States government and which had a profound impact on Native American communities. Notable critics of the school and its legacy include Vine Deloria Jr., Ward Churchill, and Andrea Smith. The school's legacy is also connected to events such as the Trail of Tears and the Boarding School Healing Coalition.

● Closure and Preservation

The school was closed in 1918, due to a combination of factors including declining enrollment and financial difficulties. The school's campus was later used for other purposes, including as a United States Army base and a juvenile detention center. In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve the school's history and to acknowledge its legacy, including the establishment of the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center and the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. The school's closure and preservation are also connected to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the National Museum of the American Indian. The school's legacy continues to be felt today, and it remains an important part of Native American history and cultural heritage, with connections to organizations such as the Native American Rights Fund and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Category:Indian boarding schools