Quaker Indigenous Boarding Schools

One 4-hour session: Saturday 2/8 (1-5pm Eastern / 10am-2pm Pacific) “Why did 19th century Friends support the federal government’s policy of forced assimilation of Native children, by operating “”Indian boarding schools?” “How did they view Native people and the country’s “”Indian problem?”” What were they seeking to accomplish in the Quaker schools? Knowing what we…

Workshop Description

One 4-hour session: Saturday 2/8 (1-5pm Eastern / 10am-2pm Pacific)

“Why did 19th century Friends support the federal government’s policy of forced assimilation of Native children, by operating “”Indian boarding schools?” “How did they view Native people and the country’s “”Indian problem?”” What were they seeking to accomplish in the Quaker schools? Knowing what we know now about the harms that have affected generations of Native families, how are Friends led to respond?

The presenters will offer a one-hour slide presentation documenting the significant role 19th century Friends played in the forced assimilation of Native children and the harms that are still affecting Native communities. This presentation is based primarily on research that Paula Palmer conducted as Pendle Hill’s Cadbury Scholar. They will also report how Friends today are collaborating with Native organizations to bring forth the truth and make it available to Native nations and families who are asking what happened to the children who were taken away from them.

After a period of worshipful reflection, Friends in breakout rooms will share the feelings and thoughts that arise for them as they take in this history.

During the second half of the workshop, members of New England Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and Alaska Friends Conference will talk about their research and the actions they have taken so far in response to the research findings. There will be time for questions, hearing from Friends in other yearly meetings, and exploration of ways interested individuals and meetings can carry this work forward in their own regions. The presenters will offer recommended resources. “

Leader Experience

“Gail Melix is both Wampanoag (enrolled in Herring Pond Wampanoag nation) and Quaker (Sandwich Meeting, NEYM). Her ministry grows out of and reflects both of these cherished identities and is supported by an anchor committee of NEYM. Andrew Grant’s ministry grows out of his personal journey of building relationships with Native teachers, elders, and communities, and his work with other New England Friends in their journey of research, discernment, and apology. His ministry is supported by an anchor committee of NEYM. Paula Palmer has collaborated with Indigenous peoples in Central and North America through a long professional career and currently as co-director of Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples, a program of Friends Peace Teams. Her ministry is supported by an anchor committee of the Boulder Meeting.”