Indian boarding schools

From the late 1800s until the 1970s, thousands of native children in the U.S. and Canada attended Indian boarding schools, often against their parents’ will. The schools existed to assimilate children into White society and strip them of their tribal traditions and practices.

Section:Gallery

Sat., July 10, 2021

When the Fort Spokane Indian School opened on April 2, 1900, the Native girls were housed in the former bachelor officers quarters. The building’s foundation still exists today.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Graffiti in the Fort Spokane guardhouse, where Native students were sometimes confined, can still be seen on the walls of a solitary cell. At the Fort Spokane Indian School, all unexcused absences, such as running away, could be punished with several days and nights locked in the solitary confinement cell. Children had to sleep on the cold floor in the same cells that once held soldiers.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
In the Fort Spokane Visitor Center & Museum, a large photo shows Native students and teachers interacting at the Fort Spokane Indian School, which opened on April 2, 1900.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
An interpretive site now sits atop the ground that was once home to the Mary Immaculate School, an Indian boarding school on the Coeur d'Alene Indian reservation in DeSmet, Idaho.

Colin Tiernan The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Students at the Fort Spokane Indian boarding school have their picture taken in front of the chapel.

Courtesy Of National Park Service
Students on the Fort Spokane Boarding School baseball team stand for a picture. Standing, left to right: Eli Raymond, Marshall(?), Johnny Peone, Gilbert Desantel, George Dupree; Seated: Dan Stranger or Stanger, Bill Desautel, Albert Garry, Philip Pecorris.

Courtesy Of National Park Service
A group photo shows the male students at the Fort Spokane Indian boarding school, which was open from 1900 to 1907.

Courtesy Of National Park Service
Fort Spokane students in the school band have their picture taken. (From left to right) Seated: Teacher (Marshall?); Francis Desautel; Ignace Peone; Standing: Eli Raymond; Lonie Peptin; Bill Wynecoop; George Whitelaw; Tom Bailey or Andrews; Billy Jarvis; Joe Walawhitsa; Joe Wyncoop (sic).

Courtesy Of National Park Service
Students at the Fort Spokane boarding school have their photo taken around the time of a New Year's or Christmas pageant. The date listed in the upper right hand corner is likely incorrect. Top Row, 4th From Left, Francis or Duncan Desautel; 2nd Row, 7th From Left, Alec Pierre; 9th is Ed. Samuels. Sitting: 1st From left, Alex "Johndro" [Gendron]; 4th from left Is Willie or Billie Hallelujah; 6th is Jim Cox.

Courtesy Of National Park Service
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition says the U.S. has had 367 Indian boarding schools, including 13 in Washington.

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition