"Your going to be a wife" "Get in Step"

Photos taken by Google Image on Feb. 22, 2010

As I was reading chapter four it almost reminded me of the movie "Mona Lisa Smile." Our native women were put into vocations to prepare them to take care of a family one day. They're chores were to cook, clean, laundry, and also sewing. Whereas, ladies attending colleges in the eastern states had similar expections. Maybe at less harsh restrictions, but nonetheless they shared similar expecations. I remember my aunt telling me that when she attended school she also had classes in the field of cosmetology to learn how to take care of her self and maintain her nails, hair and beauty. Whereas the men were put in vocations where they learned a trade of some sort. They also experienced a military lifestyle.

Something that I found interesting was the fact that Estelle Reel encouraged native cultural crafts such as basket making and rug weaving, netting, and sewing. I also found it interesting and helpful that the chapter included photos of students and some of their experiences and accomplishments. I especially liked the photo of the young ladies wearing their prom dresses that they sewed in home ec class. The changes between the photos were quite amazing. Almost similar to a make-over.

I'm not saying that the men had an easy, laid back experience, but I commend the women for having such expectations such that even I didn't experience to the extent at a young age. I'm curious as to learning more experiences and "almost" wishing I had an opportunity to relate to similar challenges. Though I had expectations when I was in grade school, it definitely was nothing compared to the ladies and their trials at Chilocco.

"I could always plow a pretty straight line"

Photo retrieved from Google Image on February 16, 2010

The reason I chose this photo is because in contrast to what our children and adolescents were experiencing in the Chilocco Boarding School is the complete opposite as to what the children in modern schools are experiencing. As I continue and read more about their trials, I gain a new level of respect and honor to those who attended a boarding school. Thier duties and expectations were more of life skills rather than a field trip that a child in today's classroom would experience.

As I continue to read, I am more understanding as to why my parents, elders and extended family members would start their stories like, "Back when i was your age..." It makes more sense now. Before, I along with my siblings; would roll our eyes and sigh. It wasn't a sad sigh or a sympathetic sigh, it was more like the "okay, here we go again" sigh. Having this opportunity to learn the past lives of others and what they have overcome and live to tell introduces a new level of interest and respect for the topic of history for me.

'The Fines' School on Earth'

Photo retrieved from google image, 08 Feb. 2010.

In the begining of the chapter, I found it interesting that three girls from the Creek reservation had asked for applications to attend the Chilocco Boarding School. After returning back to the Indian Agency office to complete the application, they were later accepted, and so they went. In other cases, there were children who did not want to attend the boarding school and who also had a difficult time adjusting to their new life as an attendant.

As they shared their stories of attending school, I learned that some students enjoyed and had a "wonderful" experience however, there were those who had such a personal impact that would haunt them throughout their adolescence. Reading about their experiences reminded me not only of what my late grandmother told me but how one of the presenters at the conference shared that when she was growing up, her family used the "boarding school" as a discipline strategy. If her behavior was unacceptable, her grandmother would tell her that she was going to enroll her into to a boarding school.

I've had other family members attend a boarding school and every one of them had mentioned how lonely it had gotten, especially being away from home and family. However, one relative of mine couldn't wait to get back and sometimes he wouldn't come home for the weekend. I wondered why he stayed. It turns out he had friends there that he could relate to and bond with. Apparently, when he got home he was put to work and lectured. Whether this was true or not, I would be interested in learning more about the experiences that others had to face growing up and attending a boarding school.

"They Called It Prarie Light"

Chilocco 1955 Graduates. Photo retrieved from Google image.

As an adolescent, I can recall the stories that my late grandmother shared as she attended the Keams Canyon Boarding School. Though the school that she attended was located on the Navajo reservation, she had similar experiences of those attending Chilocco Boarding School, which was a culture shock. Restricted from speaking her native tongue, being taught in english only, and having expectations as a young women were just a few of her recollections. Washing their mouth out with soap or forcing their students to eat chili or something spicy was a punishment for speaking their native tongue. Being sent outside without shoes or the proper clothing on a wintery day was another punishment. Although I do not know the exact date or year she attended, I do know that her last year of education was at a fifth grade level. Shortly after leaving the boarding school, she was arranged to a young medicine man whom she grew to love, built a home with eleven children.

Unfortunately as a child, I did not understand nor did I speak the Dine' language. However, because my grandmother was forced to speak and was taught in the english language, I was able to conversate with her. Most importantly, I was able to learn a little bit more of her history and experiences in which has become my own personal lessons in life. As I read more about our history as a Native American, I find myself eager to want to learn more in regards to what other tribal affiliations have encountered as they struggled to continue their traditional lifestyles. Thankfully to the first chapter of Chilocco Indian School, I am more aware of how the name came to be as well as the improvements in the mid 1880's. It was unexpected that though many students had a negative experience some surprisingly, were thankful for their personal gains and skills. I now have a different perspective and have additional questions.