In the late 19th century, a series of federal government policies were adopted with the intent of displacing Native communities from their land and culture. One such policy in the history of forced assimilation of Native populations occurred through mandatory education. Over 417 boarding schools were established near reservations throughout the country in an attempt to educate and assimilate future generations.
California hosted three of these boarding schools: Fort Bidwell Indian School, near the Oregon border. The St. Boniface Indian Industrial School in Banning. The Sherman Institute in Riverside was founded as the Perris Indian School in Perris. These boarding schools focused on "civilizing" Native populations through Christianity and American values coursework, practical skills like carpentry and housekeeping, and standard academic subjects.
The Right to Self-Determination
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, signed by President Roosevelt, decreased federal government control in Native American affairs. Later, the mid-1950s and 1960s civil rights movement sparked a wave of resistance movements throughout the country among many minority groups. Self-determination policies emerged from the efforts of various Native American communities, activists, tribal leaders, Native national organizations, and U.S. government policymakers.
The "Self-Determination and Education Act" was passed by Congress in 1975. The act further loosened the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and several other federal agencies that minutely regulated the delivery of educational, health, and other services to Native people. Tribal communities in the 1970s began to contract for education programs, gaining greater participation and administration of education in reservation communities.
Today, some of these boarding schools are still in operation, including the Sherman Indian High School of Riverside. Under the control of Native populations, boarding schools on and off reservations have become welcome education centers. They focus on academic subjects while embracing Native culture through programming such as traditional basket weaving and hosting annual powwows.
You can learn more about this topic through our database "American Indian Experience." There are also many photographs to explore in our Tessa collection.
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