KILL THE INDIAN, SAVE THE CHILD

“We were supposed to make you [our students] give up being Indian. Your songs and stories and language and dancing… we were trying to kill Indian culture… I hurt a lot of Indian kids… I might have broken a few bones.” - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (35)

- Education philosophy for Indian children, beginning in the early 1900’s and continuing into the 1970’s - Cultural genocide - Attempt to forcefully and quickly assimilate (give up one’s heritage) KILL THE INDIAN, SAVE THE CHILD

Upon arrival, students were: Given a haircut Given an English name Told that they were forbidden to speak their native language. Given a military uniform Taught that the Indian way of life was savage and inferior to the white way. Told that Indian people who retained their culture were stupid, dirty, and backwards.

The schools also: Discouraged family members and parents from visiting their children Did not allow students to go home for the summer. Shamed and humiliated those who showed any form of homesickness for their families Taught stereotypical and/or distorted depictions of Native American historical figures

NOBLE SAVAGE

- Depicted as ignorant, but capable of learning - Shows Native American as a savage needing to be civilized - A humble, thoughtful student waiting for a dominant teacher - In pictures, often times “looking off” into the distance for… help? Knowledge? A teacher?

from Disney’s Spirit

from Disney’s Pocahontas

DEMONIC WARRIOR

- Depictions of Native Americans as aggressors - Typically have facial features that are exaggerated and devilish. - Look unmistakably violent - meant to be feared - Tomahawk (or some other weapon) in hand DEMONIC WARRIOR

from Daniel Boone Struggling with the Indian (the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.)

from a Halloween costume magazine

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