What Were Native American Boarding Schools?

What Were Native American Boarding Schools?

Author: Liam Heffernan February 25, 2025 Duration: 35:26

This week, we’re diving deep into what President Joe Biden called “one of the worst chapters in American history” — the Native American boarding schools.

These institutions, which operated for over a century, were designed with the aim of systematically stripping away the cultures and identities of Native American children, often through brutal means.

Trust me, it's not going to be a light chat; we’re tackling some heavy topics that might leave you feeling a bit uneasy. However, it’s super important to understand the history behind these schools and the devastating impact they had on entire communities.

...

Special guest for this episode:

  • Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University of East Anglia

...

Highlights from this episode:

  • This episode explores the dark history of Native American boarding schools, highlighting their role in systematic abuse.
  • Over 500 boarding schools were established across the United States, aimed at assimilating Native children into white culture.
  • The boarding school system was not just about education, but involved severe cultural suppression and trauma for generations.
  • Despite the oppressive past, Native communities today are showing remarkable resilience and a revival of their cultural identities.

...

Additional Resources:

Forced assimilation and abuse: How US boarding schools devastated Native American tribes | News | cherokeephoenix.org

Biden apologizes to Native Americans for abusive government-funded boarding schools | CNN Politics

The U.S. history of Native American Boarding Schools — The Indigenous Foundation

Historian: American Indian Boarding Schools and Their Impact | TIME

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

Who Are Native Americans?

How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?

What is Thanksgiving?

...

Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com

Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month

Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/

Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?

Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
What is the History of Education in America? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:38
Ever wondered what American schools really look like beyond the glossy TV portrayals? Well, grab your backpack because we’re diving deep into the quirky, complex world of the U.S. education system!From the early dame sch…
BONUS: The Abortion Paradox in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:52
In this special bonus episode, Professor Rebecca Fraser and Rev. Caleb Lines stick around for a chat following the main episode, Why is Abortion So Controversial in America, which you can listen to in full right now.They…
What is Emancipation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:57
This week, we're diving into one of the biggest game-changers in American history: the Emancipation Proclamation.On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared all enslaved people in rebellious states to be free,…
BONUS: Is Calvin Coolidge America's Quietest Overachiever? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:49
Today, we're discussing President Calvin Coolidge a little more and why his general mid-table ranking among Presidents might be a harsh reflection of his success as America's 30th President....Special guest for this epis…
Why is Abortion So Controversial in America? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:53
This week, as one of the most conservative administrations in recent times settle into the White House, concern grows on the left around what this means for reproductive rights. The overturning of Roe v Wade, back in Jun…
Who is Calvin Coolidge? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:11
On this day 100 years ago, a Presidential inauguration was broadcast on national radio for the first time. Having inherited the White House from Warren G. Harding three years into his Vice Presidential career, the thirti…
BONUS: Talk Until You Drop - The Wild World of Filibusters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:10
In this bonus episode following the main recording of What is a Filibuster? Liam and special guest Gregory Koger continue their discussion on the history of filibuster's, including its British origins and the role they p…