Carlisle Indian School

The Carlisle Indian School, established in 1879 in Pennsylvania, was one of the first US government-run schools aimed at assimilating Native American children into Western culture. It sought to erase Indigenous identities by forcing children to adopt European-American customs, language, and dress, often through strict discipline and cultural suppression. While intended to promote integration and education, the school is now recognized for its role in causing emotional and cultural harm to Native communities. It closed in 1918, but its legacy highlights the complex history of American policies toward Indigenous peoples.