White Earth Boarding School

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The White Earth Boarding School was a Native American boarding institution located on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. Established in 1871, it was the first of 16 such schools in the state, aiming to assimilate White Earth Nation children into Euro-American culture by eradicating their Indigenous identities, languages, and traditions. The White Earth Boarding School remains a symbol of the broader assimilationist policies that targeted Indigenous peoples across North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While its operations ended decades ago, its legacy continues to shape discussions around historical trauma, reconciliation, and cultural preservation within Native communities today.

Contents

Background

Initially the government founded a boarding, or industrial, school in 1871. This school was the first of 16 boarding schools established in the state, and it remained open until 1919. [1] [2] [3] In 1878, the Saint Benedict Monastery also opened a day school, which was later designated as a boarding school in 1892. This boarding school was closed in 1945. [1] [4] Students at these schools were often forcibly taken from their homes and subjected to harsh forms of discipline, as well as forced to complete manual labor. [1] [2] The unjust conditions led to the schools closing and also formal apologies being issued by the Saint Benedict Monastery nuns. [1] [4]

Operations and Structure

At its peak, the school housed over 100 students. [2] Initially funded by the U.S. government, financial support ceased in 1899, leading the institution to rely on Catholic charities and reservation funds. The Benedictine missionaries viewed their work as a form of cultural revolution, intending to replace Native traditions with Catholic faith and Western values. [1]

Cultural Impact and Trauma

The school's operations contributed to significant cultural loss and intergenerational trauma among the White Earth Nation. Children were often forcibly removed from their families, subjected to harsh discipline, and compelled to abandon their Native ways of life. These practices led to lasting effects on Native communities, including broken families, substance abuse issues, and efforts to reclaim cultural identity. [4]

Legacy and Reconciliation

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the harm caused by boarding schools like White Earth. In 2021, the Sisters of Saint Benedict issued an apology to the White Earth Nation for their role in operating the school. Efforts are underway to locate and repatriate the remains of children who died while attending these institutions, including ceremonies aimed at helping families heal from historical trauma. [5]

Current Efforts

Research continues into records from the boarding school era to identify students who attended these institutions and uncover more about their experiences. This work is part of a broader process of truth-telling and healing for Indigenous communities. Community conversations about this painful history are ongoing, with counseling services made available for those affected by these discussions. [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Gunderson, Dan (2021-10-26). "A reckoning: St. Benedict nuns apologize for Native boarding school". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  2. 1 2 3 Lajimodiere, Denise (2016-06-14). "The sad legacy of American Indian boarding schools in Minnesota and the U.S." MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  3. ↑ Doran, Sarah (2022-09-30). "How many Native American boarding schools were there in Minnesota?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  4. 1 2 3 "Saint Benedict's Monastery Apologies To White Earth Nation For Boarding School 'Injustice' - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  5. 1 2 "Children who died at a boarding school in the 1800s return to the White Earth Nation". MPR News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
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