Some groups, like the Navajo, were recruited from NA boarding schools to serve as Code Talkers in WWII, after being chained to bedposts for refusing to stop speaking their Native language. See the Code Talker Dictionary. Carl Gorman (father of famous Navajo/Diné artist and painter, R.C. Gorman) was one of the Code Talkers.
IN THE NEWS
Abused by nun, native woman tells commission about Prince Edward Island boarding schools
P.E.I. survivors of Indian residential schools had an opportunity Tuesday to testify about their horrific treatment at the hands of the federal government and the church.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission held an all-day hearing at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. The commission gives people an opportunity to speak openly, or privately, about the residential school system that existed in Canada for more than 100 years.
Marie Knockwood wrote a song about her time at the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia. She told the hearing about sexual abuse she experienced at the hands of a nun.
Children's BOOKS
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence (Author), Gabrielle Grimard (Illustrator)
I Am Not a Number by Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis (Author), Kathy Kacer (Author), Gillian Newland (Illustrator)
6 Boarding School Laws Still on the Books
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com:81/2014/04/30/6-boarding-school-laws-still-books-154579
- 25 USC § 302, Indian Reform School—Enacted June 21, 1906
- 25 USC § 282, Regulations for withholding rations for nonattendance at schools—Enacted March 3, 1893
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25 USC § 280, Patents of lands to missionary boards of religious organizations—Enacted September 21, 1922
- 25 USC § 282, Regulations by Secretary of the Interior to secure attendance at school—Enacted February 14, 1920
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25 USC § 273, Detail of Army Officer—Enacted June 23, 1879
- 25 USC § 277, Fort Apache military post—Enacted January 24, 1923
This is a great song about Boarding Schools (deculturalization), Role Models, and Cultural Identity.
Johnny Cash Drums Lyrics:
From the Indian reservation to the governmental school
Well they're goin' to educate me to the white men's Golden Rule
And I'm learning very quickly for I've learned to be ashamed
And I come when they call Billy though I've got an Indian name
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
And when they think that they'd changed me cut my hair to meet their needs
Will they think I'm white or Indian quarter blood or just half breed
Let me tell you Mr teacher when you say you'll make me right
In five hundred years of fighting not one Indian turned white
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
Well you thought that I knew nothing when you brought me here to school
Just another empty Indian just America's first fool
But now I can tell you stories that are burnt and dried and old
But in the shadow of their telling walks the thunder proud and bold
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
Long Pine and Sequoia Handsome Lake and Sitting Bull
there's Magnus Colorado with his sleeves so red and full
Crazy Horse the legend those who bit off Custer's soul
They are dead yet they are living with the great Geronimo
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
Well you may teach me this land's hist'ry but we taught it to you first
We broke your hearts and bent your journeys broken treaties left us cursed
Even now you have to cheat us even though you think us tame
In our losing we found proudness in your winning you found shame
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
