"It's the government's responsibility not to infringe on those rights [to culture]"
- Mary Pavel
- Mary Pavel
A Right to Culture
Throughout the 20th century, there was a shift towards preserving American Indian cultures. Day schools were re-popularized as people acknowledged the immorality of removing children from their homes. Boarding schools did not shut down for many years, but power began to shift to American Indians from the government, as reports were written and legislation passed.
“The primary objective of Indian schools are: To give students an understanding and appreciation of their own tribal lore, art, music and community organization; to teach students through their own participation in school and community government to become constructive citizens of their community; to aid student in analyzing the economic resources of their reservation and in planning more effective ways of utilizing these resources for the improvement of standard of living" (Anderson, Collister, and Ladd).
|
Teaching Culture
The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued the "Minimum Essential Goals for Indian Schools" in 1953, evidently changing the culture surrounding American Indians. Their cultures began to be promoted instead of destroyed.
"The children's past experiences will determine the folk dances to be taught at this level. . . . Rhythmic social local Indian dances may also be used with advantage" (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
"Child sees beauty in nature, in furniture, textiles, pottery, baskets, picture, and other objects around him. . . . Indian art, pottery, baskets, silver, etc., can be secured easily and their beauty pointed out" (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
|
"Compares his way of living today with life in his grandparents' day. . . . Invite an older person of the community to tell how the Indians lived when he was a boy or how they lived during his parents early life" (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
|
"[N]on-Indian custom is at variance with the native speech customs in many areas. Many Indian children are taught at home to speak softly and drop the eyes, when addressing adults. A clever teacher will teach the new speech habit, without discrediting the home customs" (Bureau of Indian Affairs).