Rapid City Indian School

Four girls teams in Tri-State Indian School basketball tournament. - NARA - 285699

Rapid City Indian School was an institution established in Rapid City, South Dakota as part of the United States government's efforts to educate Native American children according to Euro-American standards. The school was part of a wider network of Indian boarding schools that operated across the United States from the late 19th century into the 20th century. These schools were founded on the principle of assimilating Indigenous peoples into mainstream American culture, often under the motto "Kill the Indian, save the man."

History

The Rapid City Indian School opened its doors with the intention of providing education to Native American youth. The school's curriculum was designed not only to provide basic education but also to strip away Native American culture and replace it with the values and norms of white society. This was achieved through various means, including the prohibition of native languages, the imposition of Christianity, and the teaching of agricultural and industrial work skills.

Throughout its operation, the school underwent several changes in policy and curriculum, reflecting broader shifts in the United States' approach to Native American education and assimilation. Despite its educational goals, the school, like many others of its kind, was marked by harsh conditions, including overcrowding, inadequate funding, and abuse.

Impact

The legacy of the Rapid City Indian School is complex. On one hand, it provided some students with skills and education that could be used to navigate the broader American society. On the other hand, the school played a significant role in the efforts to erase Native American cultures and languages, contributing to the trauma and cultural loss experienced by many Native American communities.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to acknowledge and address the impacts of Indian boarding schools. This includes efforts to document and share the stories of survivors, as well as initiatives aimed at healing and cultural revitalization among Native American peoples.

Closure and Aftermath

The Rapid City Indian School eventually closed, as did many Indian boarding schools, in response to changing attitudes towards Native American education and rights. The closure of these schools marked the end of a controversial chapter in American history, but the buildings and lands often have continued to serve other purposes, sometimes becoming sites of community and cultural significance for Native American peoples.

The site of the Rapid City Indian School, like many former Indian school sites, has been the subject of discussions and plans for redevelopment and memorialization, aiming to honor the experiences of those who attended the school and to ensure that this part of American history is not forgotten.

See Also

• Indian boarding schools
• Cultural assimilation of Native Americans
• Native American education in the United States