Indian schools

Identify and describe at least three methods Indian schools used to sever Native Americans children from their culture and traditions. And why the school is using the method to "reform" the student.

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To identify and describe at least three methods Indian schools used to sever Native American children from their culture and traditions and understand why these methods were employed, we need to delve into the historical context of Indian residential schools in the United States.

1. Cultural Suppression: One of the primary methods employed by Indian schools was the active suppression of Native American culture. Native languages, clothing, hairstyles, and traditional practices were consistently discouraged, deemed inferior, or even punished. Students were often forced to speak only English, wear Western clothing, and adopt Euro-American hairstyles. The goal of this method was to assimilate Native American children into mainstream American society by erasing their cultural identity.

2. Religious Conversion: Another method used in Indian schools was religious indoctrination. Many schools were run by religious organizations, predominantly Christian denominations, which sought to convert Native American children to Christianity. Students were forced to abandon their indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices and were taught the tenets of Christianity instead. Again, the intention of this method was to replace the Native American worldview with that of the dominant culture.

3. Separation from Families and Communities: Indian schools actively sought to separate Native American children from their families and communities. Children were often forcibly taken from their homes and sent to these residential schools, where they were isolated from their cultural context. By removing children from their traditional upbringing, it became easier to influence and reshape their identities. Breaking familial and communal bonds was considered crucial to breaking the cycle of generational transmission of culture.

The underlying rationale for these methods can be traced back to the colonial ideology prevalent at the time. The Indian school system was established with the purpose of "civilizing" Native American children. The prevailing belief was that Native American culture was inferior, and that assimilation into mainstream society was the key to progress and advancement. Therefore, Indian schools sought to reform Native American students by eradicating their cultural practices, languages, and belief systems, and by replacing them with those of the dominant culture.

It is important to note that these methods were part of a systemic effort to erase Indigenous identity, which caused immense cultural loss, trauma, and intergenerational effects that persist to this day. Recognizing and understanding these historical practices is crucial to fostering empathy, healing, and working towards reconciliation with Native American communities.