The Children They Tried to Forget: The Story Behind Native American Boarding Schools
Every story begins with a voice.
A grandmother telling a traditional story.
A child learning the language of their ancestors.
A family passing down memories from one generation to the next.
For many Indigenous communities, these moments have always been more than traditions - they are the threads that connect people to their history, their land, and their identity.
But for thousands of Native American children, those connections were taken away.
Not because their stories were forgotten.
But because others tried to erase them.
The Beginning of Indian Boarding Schools
During the late 1800s, the United States government created a system of boarding schools designed to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream American society.
These schools were built around one central belief:
That Native children needed to abandon their own cultures, languages, and traditions in order to fit into American society.
One of the most well-known figures behind this movement was Richard Henry Pratt, founder of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania in 1879.
His philosophy was captured in the phrase:
“Kill the Indian in him, and save the man.”
This statement represented the goal of forced assimilation - removing Indigenous identity and replacing it with another culture.
Children Were Separated From Their Families
Many Indigenous children were taken hundreds of miles away from their homes.
For some families, the separation lasted years.
For others, children never returned.
Inside these schools, children often experienced a complete transformation of their daily lives.
They were:
- Given English names instead of their traditional names
- Forced to cut their hair
- Forbidden from speaking their Native languages
- Prevented from practicing cultural traditions
- Required to wear unfamiliar clothing and follow strict routines
For many children, losing their language meant losing a connection to their grandparents, their communities, and their ancestors.
Language Is More Than Words
A language carries memories.
It carries songs.
It carries teachings from elders.
It carries the way a community understands the world.
When Indigenous children were punished for speaking their own languages, the damage went beyond communication.
It affected generations of cultural knowledge passed from parents to children.
Yet despite these attempts, Indigenous languages and traditions survived.
Because culture is not only something written down.
Culture lives in people.
The Strength of Indigenous Communities
The history of boarding schools is painful.
But it is also a story of resilience.
Despite generations of hardship, Indigenous communities continued protecting their identities.
Families continued sharing stories.
Elders continued teaching younger generations.
Communities continued rebuilding connections that were once interrupted.
The goal was to erase Indigenous voices.
Instead, those voices continued.
Why Orange Shirt Day Matters
Every September 30, communities across North America recognize Orange Shirt Day and the message:
Every Child Matters.
The day was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who shared her experience of having her new orange shirt taken away when she attended a residential school as a child.
That orange shirt became a symbol:
Not just of loss.
But of remembrance.
Of healing.
Of honoring every child whose experiences deserve to be remembered.
Remembering Children, Honoring Stories
When we talk about boarding schools, we are not only talking about history.
We are talking about real children.
Children who had families waiting for them.
Children who had dreams.
Children whose voices mattered.
Remembering their stories helps create a future where Indigenous children can grow up proud of who they are, connected to their communities, and able to carry their heritage forward.
How You Can Support Indigenous Awareness
Learning is one of the first steps toward meaningful support.
You can:
- Listen to Indigenous voices and stories
- Learn about the history of Native communities
- Support Indigenous-led organizations
- Share messages that encourage awareness and remembrance
At Empower Native Voice, our mission is to help keep these stories visible through meaningful designs while supporting conversations around Indigenous history, culture, and community.
A portion of proceeds from our collections supports organizations working with Indigenous communities.
Carry The Message Forward
Every symbol carries a story.
Every child deserves to be remembered.
Every voice deserves to be heard.
Explore our Every Child Matters Collection and help keep this important message visible: