Native American Education Essay
The United States government began a relationship with individual Native American nations. The government developed contracts that negotiated land agreements. The Native American nations gave up their homelands in exchange for protection provided by the United States government. A connection based on trust was established so that each party could fulfill their obligations. However, problems began when one group failed to fulfill their responsibilities. The problems that occurred in the past with the government and Native Americans result in several natives not being able to trust the government today. The United States government does not even create treaties with Native Americans anymore. Native Americans need to receive repayment in order
…show more content…
However, the Native Americans did not want to convert to a different lifestyle. Boarding schools were built to educate the children in the white dominant culture. The schools were used to assimilate the native tribes into the American way of life. The Caucasians thought it was necessary to civilize Native Americans, and to make the natives accept the Caucasians beliefs and values. If a boy arrived with long hair, which symbolized pride in natives, their hair would be cut off. Children were given standard uniforms in order to prevent native clothing in school. Children were also given new “white” names, and were not given traditional Native American food. Children were treating poorly in boarding schools and punishments were cruel. The boarding schools separated families and attempted to destroy the Native American culture and beliefs. While attending the educational systems natives were punished and shamed for talking in their native tongues and expressing themselves. The Native American’s way of communication united them as a tribe; because of this, the whites did not want them to have their language. Not allowing expression of Native Americans resulted in the belief systems to be ruined. This resulted in the loss of identity in Native Americans. People started to become ashamed of being native because of how the Caucasians were teaching the natives to act. Traditions and knowledge of the homeland and culture still exist today because they were kept alive by
However, the Native Americans did not want to convert to a different lifestyle. Boarding schools were built to educate the children in the white dominant culture. The schools were used to assimilate the native tribes into the American way of life. The Caucasians thought it was necessary to civilize Native Americans, and to make the natives accept the Caucasians beliefs and values. If a boy arrived with long hair, which symbolized pride in natives, their hair would be cut off. Children were given standard uniforms in order to prevent native clothing in school. Children were also given new “white” names, and were not given traditional Native American food. Children were treating poorly in boarding schools and punishments were cruel. The boarding schools separated families and attempted to destroy the Native American culture and beliefs. While attending the educational systems natives were punished and shamed for talking in their native tongues and expressing themselves. The Native American’s way of communication united them as a tribe; because of this, the whites did not want them to have their language. Not allowing expression of Native Americans resulted in the belief systems to be ruined. This resulted in the loss of identity in Native Americans. People started to become ashamed of being native because of how the Caucasians were teaching the natives to act. Traditions and knowledge of the homeland and culture still exist today because they were kept alive by