30 Years Later: Long-Term Effect of Boarding Schools on Alaska Natives and Their Communities
THIRTY YEARS LATER: THE LONG-TERM EFFECT OF BOARDING SCHOOLS ON ALASKA NATIVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES
September 2005
Diane Hirshberg Suzanne Sharp Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage
With assistance from: Alexandra Hill Institute of Social and Economic Research William Mell Paul Ongtooguk College of Education University of Alaska Anchorage
The research conducted for this report was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.
Contact Information: Diane Hirshberg Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508 907/786-5413 (voice) 907/786-7739 (fax) hirshberg@uaa.alaska.edu http://iser.uaa.alaska.edu
CONTENTS
Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... iii Introduction and Background ..................................................................................................... 1 Study Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 4 Findings.......................................................................................................................................... 6 Experiences in Boarding Schools and Homes ............................................................................ 6 Boarding School Assignment: Choice or Mandate?........................................................ 6 The School Experience: An Overall Assessment ............................................................ 7 The School Experience: Quality of Education................................................................. 7 The School Experience: Climate and Culture................................................................ 10 The Best and Worst: Two Stories .................................................................................. 13 Post-High School
September 2005
Diane Hirshberg Suzanne Sharp Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage
With assistance from: Alexandra Hill Institute of Social and Economic Research William Mell Paul Ongtooguk College of Education University of Alaska Anchorage
The research conducted for this report was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.
Contact Information: Diane Hirshberg Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508 907/786-5413 (voice) 907/786-7739 (fax) hirshberg@uaa.alaska.edu http://iser.uaa.alaska.edu
CONTENTS
Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... iii Introduction and Background ..................................................................................................... 1 Study Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 4 Findings.......................................................................................................................................... 6 Experiences in Boarding Schools and Homes ............................................................................ 6 Boarding School Assignment: Choice or Mandate?........................................................ 6 The School Experience: An Overall Assessment ............................................................ 7 The School Experience: Quality of Education................................................................. 7 The School Experience: Climate and Culture................................................................ 10 The Best and Worst: Two Stories .................................................................................. 13 Post-High School