history of native American education

The history of Native American education is a complex and often painful one, marked by centuries of forced assimilation and cultural oppression. For much of American history, the federal government, Christian churches, and other institutions sought to assimilate Native American children into white American culture, often through the use of boarding schools.

The earliest efforts to educate Native American children began in the 1700s, when Christian missionaries established boarding schools for Native American children. These schools were often located far from the children’s homes, and students were forced to give up their traditional customs and languages in order to assimilate into white American culture.

In the late 1800s, the federal government began to take a more active role in Native American education through the creation of the Indian Boarding School system. These schools were often run by the federal government or by Christian churches, and aimed to assimilate Native American children into white American culture through the use of strict discipline, forced labor, and the suppression of traditional customs and languages.

The boarding school era lasted until the 1960s, and during that time, an estimated 150,000 Native American children were forced to attend these schools. The traumatic impact of these schools on Native American communities is still felt today, as many Native American families and communities continue to struggle with the legacy of forced assimilation and cultural oppression.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to address the history of Native American education and to promote culturally responsive education for Native American students. This includes efforts to incorporate traditional Native American knowledge and practices into the curriculum, as well as to provide support for the revitalization of Native American languages and cultures. Additionally, there has been an effort to give Native American communities more control over their own education by promoting tribal control of schools and curriculum.

In 1978, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act was passed, which allows for federally recognized tribes to take control of the education of their own children. This law provided tribes with more autonomy over the education of their children and allowed for the incorporation of traditional Native American practices and values into the curriculum. Today, there are also many schools that are specifically designed to serve Native American students and provide them with an education that is grounded in their culture and traditions.

Despite these efforts, Native American students still face significant challenges in the education system. They are more likely to live in poverty and to have less access to quality education than other students. They also have lower graduation rates, and are underrepresented in higher education.

To address these challenges, there is a need for continued efforts to promote culturally responsive education for Native American students, as well as increased funding and support for schools that serve Native American communities. Additionally, more must be done to address the historical and ongoing impacts of forced assimilation on Native American communities, and to promote the revitalization of Native American languages and cultures.

In conclusion, the history of Native American education is marked by centuries of forced assimilation and cultural oppression. However, in recent years there has been a growing movement to address this history and to promote culturally responsive education for Native American students. Despite some progress, Native American students still face significant challenges in the education system, therefore more efforts are needed to ensure that they have access to quality education that is grounded in their culture and traditions.