Indian boarding schools

Indian boarding schools were institutions established mainly in the 19th and 20th centuries to assimilate Native American and Indigenous children into mainstream culture. Operated by government agencies and religious organizations, these schools aimed to suppress Indigenous languages, traditions, and identities, often through strict discipline and cultural removal. Children were separated from their families and communities, experiencing significant emotional and cultural loss. While they intended to promote education and integration, many students faced neglect, abuse, and a loss of their cultural heritage, leaving lasting impacts on Indigenous communities.