Question

What was the purpose of the American Indian boarding schools established by the American Indian Movement?

Answer 1

The American Indian Movement (AIM) did not establish American Indian boarding schools; rather, it was a civil rights organization founded in the late 1960s to address the issues faced by Native Americans, including discrimination, poverty, and injustice.

The boarding schools for Native American children were established much earlier, primarily by the U.S. government and various missionary organizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The purpose of these schools was to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture. The schools aimed to suppress indigenous languages, cultures, and identities, often through harsh discipline and a curriculum that emphasized Western values and practices. The motto of some of these schools, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," reflects the brutal approach that characterized this system of education.

AIM's efforts were focused on advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Native Americans and addressing the negative impacts of policies like the boarding school system. They sought to promote cultural pride, self-determination, and recognition of treaty rights, rather than to support the boarding schools that had caused harm to Native communities.