What happened at the Carlisle Indian School?
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School opened in 1879 and operated for nearly 30 years with a mission to “kill the Indian” to “save the Man.” This philosophy meant administrators forced students to speak English, wear Anglo-American clothing, and act according to U.S. values and culture. The Carlisle model spawned 24 more off-reservation schools.
What was the goal of the Carlisle boarding school?
The goal? Forced assimilation of Native children into white American society under the belief of “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.” Carlisle closed in 1918, but its legacy and that of the many boarding schools modeled after it continues to impact Native American families today.
How many Native American students graduated from Carlisle?
From 1879 until 1918, over 10,000 Native American children from 140 tribes attended Carlisle; however, according to one source, only 158 students graduated. Tribes with the largest number of students included the Lakota, Ojibwe, Seneca, Oneida, Cherokee, Apache, Cheyenne, and Alaska Native.
What was the name of the Indian boarding school in Pennsylvania?
The United States Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, generally known as Carlisle Indian Industrial School, was the flagship Indian boarding school in the United States from 1879 through 1918. It took over the historic Carlisle Barracks, which was transferred to the Department of Interior from the War Department.
How can you support the Carlisle School Heritage Center?
We want to honor the legacy of the children who attended Carlisle by building a heritage center and museum near the original school site. You can support this vision by donating, by contacting us to arrange a visit, or by sharing our website or social media.