The Role American Indian Boarding Schools Had on the Mental Health of Native American Communities

A Quick Background on American Indian Boarding Schools

Carlisle Indian Industrial School, courtesy of Library of Congress

"Kill the Indian, Save the Man”

The establishment of American Indian boarding schools rose in the late 1800s as part of the US government's assimilation policies towards Native Americans. The goal was to forcibly acculturate and "civilize" Native children by eliminating them from their families and tribal influences.

The first off-reservation boarding school was the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded by Richard Henry Pratt in 1879 in Pennsylvania. Following Pratt's philosophy, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man,"— it reflected the desire to erase Native cultures and identities.

The boarding school model caught up quickly, with 25 federally-funded non-reservation schools open by 1900. By 1926, nearly 83% of Indian school-age children were enrolled in boarding schools.

Boarding schools mandated the use of English, Western dress, haircuts, names, and customs. Native languages, religions, medicine, and family ties were banned. Military-style organization and strict discipline were used to regiment every aspect of life. The overall goal

The History of California Boarding Schools

California had 13 Indian Boarding Schools, three of them were run by the U.S Government

In 1892, the U.S. government founded the Perris Indian School, the first off-reservation boarding facility for Native American youths in California. This institution aimed to integrate its attendees into mainstream American culture, hoping they would impart these values to their elders on the reservations.

Contrastingly, when local entrepreneur Frank Miller advocated for relocating the school to Riverside, his motivations were financial rather than educational. He claimed the move was necessary due to Perris's insufficient water resources. Still, his intention was to attract tourists to his nearby Mission Inn, following the school's move and its rededication as the Sherman Institute in 1903—named in honor of James S. Sherman, a supportive Congress member and later Vice President—the area's tourism and the prosperity of the Mission Inn surged, partially due to the exploitation of student labor and for entertainment purposes.

Initially, the institute focused on providing vocational training to children between the ages of four and twenty from various parts of the country, teaching them skills in fields like carpentry, blacksmithing, home economics, and nursing. However, after the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation in 1971, the program shifted towards preparing students for higher education. Since then, known as the Sherman Indian High School, it has catered to students in grades 9-12, continuing its legacy as a boarding school under the management of the Bureau of Indian Education/Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Here is the complete list of the Indian Boarding Schools in California.

• Anaheim Boarding School
• Fort Bidwell Indian Boarding School
• Fort Yuma Indian Boarding School
• Greenville Indian Industrial Boarding School
• Hoopa Valley Boarding School
• Middletown Training School
• North Fork Presbyterian Mission^
• Perris Indian School
• Round Valley Indian School
• Sherman Institute (Sherman Indian High School*)
• St. Anthony’s Industrial School for Indians
• St. Boniface Indian School
• St. Turibius Mission Boarding and Day School

California used various methods to recruit Native youth into boarding schools, including:

• Withholding vital resources from families that resisted sending their children away.
• Children were removed through coercion, persuasion, and outright kidnapping.

Once enrolled, California schools enforced harsh "Americanization" policies and prohibited Native languages and cultural expressions.

The whole boarding school experience was a challenging and mentally inflicting experience for those who went through it.

Lots of people went through a tough time with abuse—physical, emotional, and even sexual—from teachers and staff. The whole setup of those schools was mainly oppressive. They ripped kids away from their families, stripped away their languages and cultures, and basically tried to erase who they were.

As you can imagine, it led to some severe mental struggles—depression, anxiety, feeling worthless, and not being able to trust anyone.



And it didn't stop there. Some survivors of those schools often end up dealing with PTSD, thoughts of suicide, and turning to drugs or alcohol to cope.

Leading To Intergenerational Trauma

Children who endured abuse and cultural erasure at the schools grew up to be parents themselves. often without having fully healed from their trauma. This contributed to cycles of domestic violence, substance abuse, and dysfunction within Native families.

Parents who attended boarding schools were prohibited from practicing their culture and native language. They could not pass down traditional parenting practices, stories, and cultural identity. This severed a vital link between generations, leading to a loss of cultural heritage.

Studies show that greater enculturation and cultural identity help promote resilience among Native youth. But the legacy of the boarding schools robbed many young Natives of their connection to this protective factor.

At the community level, the boarding school system dismantled the social fabric and leadership structure of tribes. Western models systematically replaced traditional ways of governance, justice, and community organization.

This undermined the community cohesion and collective efficacy needed for resilience and advancement. While great efforts have been made to revitalize tribal culture and sovereignty, the boarding school era inflicted social wounds that are still healing across Native communities today.

Some Resources for Healing

If this post speaks to you and if you're dealing with the aftermath of boarding school trauma yourself, taking care of yourself is crucial. Here are some ideas to help you along the way:

Self-Care

• Spend time in nature and with your loved ones. Being part of a community can give you strength.
• Get involved in cultural practices and traditions. Reconnecting with your roots helps rebuild your identity.
• Express yourself through art, writing, dancing, or music. Letting out your emotions creatively can be really therapeutic.
• Take care of your body by exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Physical health is tied to mental well-being.
• Consider talking to a counselor or therapist, especially one specializing in trauma. Processing those painful memories with someone who gets it can be a game-changer.
• Learn some grounding exercises to manage anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Things like deep breathing or yoga can help calm your nerves.
• Find a support group. Hearing from others who've been through similar stuff can make you feel less alone.

Where to Find Help

• Lots of tribes have behavioral health programs that mix cultural practices with therapy. These kinds of services can be super healing.
• Organizations like the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition offer education, advocacy, and spiritual support.
• Look for therapists who know about historical trauma—they're trained to understand the legacy of boarding schools.
• Support groups for survivors and descendants can give you a sense of community and understanding.
• If you're struggling with substance abuse, there are rehab programs out there tailored specifically for Native Americans, addressing the root of trauma.
• You can also reach out to mental health professionals, Native or not, who offer talk therapy or holistic treatments.
• And if you're ever in crisis, remember there are hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24/7. There's always someone there to listen and help.