Recently, I have immersed myself in the history of Indian boarding schools fictionally, historically, and physically. I often pass the site of the Phoenix Indian School, and my visit to the internationally acclaimed Heard Museum included much time spent in the excellent (and sobering) exhibit Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories. That time brought to life many things I've read, including Mary Annette Pember's Medicine River.
Pember's exhaustive research began as a way to understand her mother's behavior as well as her grandmother's. Both women were sent to Indian boarding schools, and Mary's mother in particular was indelibly scarred from her experience.
Indian boarding schools were the U.S. government's attempt to assimilate all Native Americans-- to make them think and behave like whites. The boarding schools were rife with disease, and those in charge sent sick children back to the reservation to infect and kill many others. To add insult to injury, these children were forced into schools that Native Americans were forced to pay for. They literally funded their own abuse.
Pember shines light on so many topics. Legislation affecting Native Americans over the years. Famous Native Americans who were products of those boarding schools. Insights into her own Ojibwe culture. The homegrown historians (mostly women, both Indian and white) who are documenting and preserving America's Indian boarding school history. This book is a gold mine of illuminating facts that also helped the author shed light on her personal history.
One of the things I found most interesting was the study of epigenetics-- that humans can pass along more than DNA in our genes, that genes can also carry memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors. It's an interesting avenue of thought.
Medicine River is an important addition to Native American history. It is a history that we should all know more about.
Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
eISBN: 9780553387322
Pantheon Books © 2025
eBook, 304 pages
Non-Fiction
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley
Those residential schools are one of the dark stains on our past, Cathy, and I'm glad that people are looking at what happened, and reminding us. As you say, we all need to know more about them, and face that part of our past. Not easy, but I think it's important. Canada's been working through this pain, too, and I hope it can help.
ReplyDeleteCanada seems to be doing a better job than the U.S., unfortunately. Of course, with the present administration... but 'nuff said.
DeleteLight and attention are the only ways to acknowledge and then work on healing from this multigenerational trauma. I'm glad this book is a strong contribution to the cause.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to become stronger is to admit our mistakes, make amends where possible, and not repeat those mistakes. Learn from them.
DeleteIt was such a sad thing that happened. I'm glad people are writing books about it and acknowledging how wrong it was and also shedding light on the impact of it on younger generations. This sounds like one of those books that are important to read.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Lark.
DeleteThis is an issue that needs more light and it is very good that this book provides some of that light.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteSo important that this book was written and good that it's reviewed here as more people will learn about it. Such a terrible period in U.S. and Canadian history and Australia's, too, when poor children in England were sent to Australia to work in the fields and where Indigenous children were taken from their families by the government and made into servants.
ReplyDeleteHumans have a tendency to be unkind toward each other-- especially when they think they are better than others.
DeleteThe book "Rabbit-Proof Fence" tells of Indigenous children being taken from their parents by the Australian government to work as servants. It is a true story and was made into a movie, centering on three children who ran away to back to their families. Very powerful.
ReplyDeleteI watched the movie several times. It is very powerful.
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