The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was established in 1879 in Pennsylvania as the first government-run boarding school for Native American children. The main goal of Carlisle was to promote assimilation, a policy where the U.S. government tried to make Native Americans adopt European-American customs, language, and beliefs. Officials believed that by removing children from their families and cultures, they could solve what they called the “Indian problem.” This approach created major conflicts between Native American traditions and U.S. government policies.
Carlisle’s founder, Captain Richard Henry Pratt, believed that education could “civilize” Native Americans. He famously stated, “Kill the Indian in him, and save the man.” This quote reveals the school’s purpose: to erase Native identities in favor of American ones. Many Native families opposed this policy, knowing it would mean the loss of their languages, spiritual practices, and family ties. Yet some leaders, facing intense government pressure, sent their children to Carlisle hoping they would gain useful skills to help their communities survive.
At Carlisle, students had their hair cut short, wore military-style uniforms, and were forbidden to speak their own languages. The curriculum included English, math, and history, but also job training in agriculture and trades. For many, this strict regimen was harsh and traumatic. Students were punished for using their Native languages or practicing their own religions. Some students wrote home about their loneliness and the difficulties they faced. Others adapted, forming friendships and learning new skills. A small number used their education to advocate for Native rights later in life.
Supporters of assimilation argued that Carlisle would help Native Americans become successful in American society. They claimed the policy prepared students for jobs and citizenship. However, Native parents and leaders saw the policy as an attack on their sovereignty—their right to govern themselves and keep their cultures alive. The boarding school experience often resulted in loss of identity, family separation, and deep emotional scars. Many students became disconnected from both their traditional cultures and the dominant American society, struggling to belong in either world.
Some evidence shows that students resisted in both small and large ways. Secretly, they spoke their languages or practiced their customs at night. Letters and oral histories show that many never forgot their heritage. Over time, criticism of assimilation policies grew. By the early 20th century, Native activists and some reformers argued that schools like Carlisle did more harm than good. Their efforts led to changes in federal policy and, eventually, the closure of many boarding schools.
The story of the Carlisle Indian School is complex. It reveals how government policies can have unintended and long-lasting consequences. While some students gained new skills, many lost connection to their families and cultures. The legacy of Carlisle continues to affect Native American communities today, as they work to restore their languages, cultures, and resilience in the face of historical trauma.
A primary source letter from a student at Carlisle reads, “I want to go home. I do not know why they keep me here.” This brief statement powerfully shows the emotional impact of forced assimilation and family separation. It reminds us to consider the voices and experiences of those who lived through these policies.
Interesting Fact: The Carlisle Indian School produced the famous athlete Jim Thorpe, who later became an Olympic gold medalist and is often called one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.
