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Indian Civilization Act
This Act was implemented on March 3rd, 1819 to "civilize" the Indigenous peoples in the United States. This Act provided the United States Government with funds to culturally assimilate and indoctrinate Native Americans, riding them of their rich cultural knowledge and upbringings. These funds paid church leaders and missionaries making it possible for them to build Native American boarding schools. -
Indian Removal Act
This Act forced Native tribes out of their homelands and onto reservations. Many Native Americans died on their relocation journey due to harsh weather, diseases and starvation. This directly effected the education of Native American children because keeping the Native families in their reservation boundaries made it easier for them when the season came to take the children to boarding school. -
Boarding School Era; Carlisle Indian Industrial School
The most known Native Boarding schools in the United States opened its ominous doors on January 1st, 1879. Native children from all over the country were shipped to this school forcibly where its mission was to "save the man and kill the Indian". Children that attended boarding schools where stripped of their culture and forced to assimilate to the westernized customs. They were abused for speaking their languages and practicing their ways. -
Indian Citizen Act
This act made Native Americans citizens in the United States. Before this, Native Americans were seen in the eyes of the law the same as animals. When passed, they could vote and own land. Being considered citizens effected their education because it allowed them to vote and attend public schools. Although at the time, there were still boarding schools intact. This act created change by letting the First Nations people finally be considered human in the eyes of the law. -
Indian Self Determination and Education
This Act finally passed allowing Native Americans sovereignty within their education to be able to culturally educate their youth. Native Americans could now operate their own schools and be in charge of their own education implementing traditional knowledge such as language, beliefs and philosophies into their education.