Native American Education Essay - 2273 Words

Children were taken away from their homes and told everything they knew was wrong. They were sent to boarding schools to change their culture. These boarding schools were run by the United States government. The governments goal was to civilize Native Americans. They sent children to these schools against their will. Native American children were educated like Americans and they had to change their native ways to be more like whites (Cayton 266). Teachers abused their students and beat their native ways out of them. They were not allowed to see their families so they would try to escape, but their attempts were unsuccessful. The United States government’s Boarding Schools of the mid-late 1800s irreparably changed Native American culture.†¦show more content†¦Crazy Horse was brutally murdered and the Sioux surrendered (â€Å"Battle†). In 1890 the government learned that the Native Americans were doing the Ghost Dance (Cayton 265). The Ghost Dance was a ritual in which people join hands and twirled in a circle (Cayton 265). When the government saw the Ghost Dance, they thought the Native Americans were crazy and trying to rebel, so they tried to arrest Sitting Bull (Cayton 265). In this conflict that came to be known as the Battle of Wounded Knee, soldiers killed Sitting Bull, 120 men, and 230 women and children (Cayton 265). These battles pushed Native Americans onto reservations and took away their basic human rights. Early Native American schooling was taught in tribes. Tribes would teach their children healing arts and specialized crafts like making shell money (Nash 173). Tribes used legends as a form of education a long time ago (Fixico 41). These stories would teach important lessons like how to live in balance with nature. Many tribes would make day schools to educate children on tribal sovereignty (Ellis). In the 1840s, the Cherokees formed a system of public schools (Perdue 64). Education in tribes was an important right of the Na tive Americans. The main goal of boarding schools was to civilize Native Americans. The federal government wanted to solve â€Å"The Indian Problem† by assimilating Native Americans into white culture and felt that educationShow MoreRelatedThe Education Of Native Americans Essay1317 Words   |  6 Pagesaccomplishment compared to that of a college degree or getting a first job. Though it is just as important to have, it is seen as basic and necessary, with 82% of public education students graduating high school during the 2013-14 year (nces.ed.gov, 2016). However, for a variety of reasons, many students drop out of high school. Native American students have the lowest high school graduation rate of any non-White group in the U.S. Granted that reasons may vary from drug issues, work, family, or just disinterestRead MoreNative American Education Essay1530 Words   |  7 PagesNative American Education Through the years minority groups have long endured repression, poverty, and discrimination. A prime example of such a group is the Native Americans. They had their own land and fundamental way of life stripped from them almost unceasingly for decades. Although they were the real â€Å"natives† of the land, they were driven off by the government and coerced to assimilate to the white man’s way. Unfortunately, the persecution of the Natives was primarily based on the prevalentRead MoreNative American Education Essay1368 Words   |  6 Pagesgroup is the Native Americans. They had their own land and basic way of life stripped from them almost constantly for decades. Although they were the actual â€Å"natives† of the land, they were forced by the government to give it up and compelled to assimilate to the white man’s way. This past scarred the Native American’s preservation of culture as many were discouraged to speak the native language and dress in traditional clothing. Because of this cultural neglect, among other things, Native Indians haveRead MoreEarly Education of Native Americans830 Words   |  3 PagesNative Americans put up a good fight in defending their homelands against foreign invaders. Unfortunately, they suffered defeat and realized they would have to adapt to a new way of life. The battle for their lands was over, but the battle for their identities would just begin. However, it would not be the hardened warriors engaging in this conflict. Instead, the young Native American children would witness first-hand the American government’s solution to the Indian problem. Boarding schools wereRead MoreNative American Education Essay907 Words   |  4 PagesThe modern American society is best defined by its education. The â€Å"American dream† is founded on going to school, getting a good job, and becoming successful. Ironically, the actual native peoples of this country are actually the least likely to attain this dream. The largest obstacle they face is lack of proper education. The standard educational practices being used for the instruction of Native American peoples is not effective. There are many pieces to this road-block, and many solutionsRead MoreIssues with Native American Education Essay1528 Words   |  7 PagesEducation has been a topic of controversy for many years now, and will continue to be for years to come. The modern American society is best defined by its education. A good part of the average person’s life is spent at school, going to school, and paying for school. However, even though education is so obviously very important, there are many groups in America that are getting shorted. The Native Americans are a key group that has struggled the most. The largest obstacle they face is lack ofRead More Special Education Implementation For Native American Girls Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesSpecial Education Implementation For Native American Girls Quality education for children has been an ongoing issue for todays society. There has also been an increasing concern for the education of students with special needs. The effect of these concerns has been noted in many communities, such as the Native American community. The population of special education students in the Native American communities is not necessarily higher than others, however, their community is effectedRead MoreMy People The Sioux And The Lives Of Native Americans Essay1627 Words   |  7 PagesStanding Bear’s account of his life growing up as a Sioux Native American amidst a nation flourishing with change is a powerful and poignant narrative that draws us deeper into the history of The United States. My People the Sioux and the life of Luther Standing Bear are both crucial in examining the positive connotations of Indian Boarding Schools and the use of education to challenge the inferiority complex surrounding Native Americans. Luther Standing Bear was born in December of 1868 and thisRead MoreLiberty And Education For All America, The Land Of Opportunity1531 Words   |  7 PagesLiberty and Education for All America, the land of opportunity. Many people imagine of making their dreams a reality in the country of the United States, some do succeed but for others it is out of their reach. Many people do not think of the fight for education to be an issue in America, especially since America is called â€Å"the best nation on Earth†. It is like when Malala from Pakistan fought for rights that everyone should have the right to education. Education is said to be the key to successRead MoreCultural Values Of Cultures, Navajo, Laguna, And Euro American Culture1003 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will explore the cultural values of three different cultures; Navajo, Laguna, and Euro-American culture. Two of the cultures that I will be exploring are the Native communities that I have been well exposed to since I was a child. The values that I will be discussing are gender, education, and money. Growing up on a reservation in New Mexico, I have a closer insight on the similarities and diffe rences of those values. The first value I will be analyzing is gender. Gender is a topic that