Ironically Boarding schools became part of the Indian experience, almost like a rite of passage. After successfully completing their boarding school experience children were transformed into full members of their community while proving they could survive and thrive off the reservation. By the time children left Haskell they were transformed in many ways. Very few became totally converted to the white man's ways and most remained in touch with their Indian past and identity. Children were able to preserve many elements of their Indian culture.
Graduation was exciting time at Haskell. It meant a new beginning was coming. When it was time to leave Haskell students had to decide whether to return home, continue their education, or begin working. Homecomings could have been just as disappointing as the children's first arrival at Haskell. Some students suffered something like a reverse culture shock. They did not understand the "old" ways. Their education did not turn them into white people but it did transform them. Many people suffered loss of their language and had difficulty communicating with their families. The boarding school experience was different for every child. For women graduates of Haskell the basic roles were the same as white women. Most of Haskell's girls eventually got married, had children, and became homemakers. A few women went on to become nurses. For males many joined the military to serve their country.The business majors usually took jobs working in the Indian agencies. Some Haskell alumni took jobs in the Wild West Shows.
Haskell student frequently married each other, either right out of school or later on down in life. Their partnerships grew from sharing the experiences of boarding schools. Indian families, communities and cultures were altered by the boarding school experiences but they weren't destroyed. Most children survived their boarding school life and overall believed it to be a positive experience. After Haskell some alumni were proud to have attended Haskell and wanted their children to share their experience.
There is no single story to capture Haskell. There were thousands of different students and a thousand different experiences. Indians have evolved through the boarding school experiences and changed who they were before. Haskell's motto "Onward Ever, Backward Never" is put perfectly. There wasn't a reason to turn back but the experiences shaped the future.
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Very interesting reflection Nevada! I love their motto. Thank you for always sharing with us and responding to my blogs as well. Take Care, (: Yvonne
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your information. My book talks about a lot of sad stories but I like hearing about your book because it gives us other information and facts about things my book didn't cover. It was very interesting looking at the similarities of our books.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wonder if mostly all Native students who attended the boarding schools ended up marrying each other? I know in my book Tim writes about how they often fell in love with each other and had families. Another reason this stands out in my head about Haskell in particular is my best friend's grandmother just recently was reacquainted with her Haskell lover and they are now rekindling their love after more than thirty years!! Its very cute ")
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