They Called It Prairie Light Ch 2

While I was attending high school I had two teachers that were in the school system for over thirty years and they were set in they’re ways and they were also the meanest teachers in the school. They didn’t take any misbehaving from anybody. They educated to two or even three generations of families.

My parent’s home growing up was always packed of kids. My parents would take in children that had no where to go.  If kids came from difficult home environment, they would end up at my parents place.  Even though our residence was over crowded my parents would not turn anybody away.

When I first showed up to school I was overwhelmed by the school size and how many people were there. I was eighteen and first time from home. I became very home sick. I felt like quitting school and going back home where I felt at ease.

These experiences popped into my head while reading this chapter. My experiences are no where near dramatic as the students from Chilocco. But I feel like I have an idea what they went through.

Chapter 1 Chilocco Indian School

    All kinds of emotions were going through my head while reading this chapter those emotions was; mad, sad, proud and helpless. I was mad that the government decided that the Native people were not civilized enough to live in this country. So they decided to put the Indian children on what they called "Boarding Schools". To me the boarding school was more of a prison camp for children. The children were doing hard labor most of the day, but they called it a "trade". Most of the meals consisted of bread and water, three times a day. If they were out of line then they had a room to put them in, which was dark and were giving little to eat.
    I felt sad for the parents because they didn't hear from they're children for long periods of time. When they were able to write home the employees read the letters, so if the children wrote bad things about the school I bet those letters was not sent out. Some children died at these schools and I wonder if the parents were notified right away? I would be furious if my child died at school!
    I felt helpless for the Indian children while they were going through this process. They were put on a place away from they're family, friends, language, culture and religion. They were forced to change they're whole way of life.
    I was proud of the children; they didn't complain or rebel for the most part. I was proud of the children, I enjoyed reading, when the children made a lot of money for the school through they're gardening and farming.
    What I did like was that they ended up changing the curriculum. It took time but the government realized that they're process wasn't working. The government finally started forming day schools or public schools on the reservations. I felt that the first chapter kind of jumped around a lot, but overall I enjoyed reading this book.

Chilocco Slideshow

Mandan_Hidatsa__Arikara flag

Mandan_Hidatsa__Arikara flag
Originally uploaded by singleman

What you think this image means to me?

Three truths and a lie

Can you guess which statment is a lie?

I played violin in elementary.

I used to tap dance.

I am the oldest of 8 children.

I was born in Minot ND.