Date of Award

5-2007

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

Committee Chair(s)

Jeannie Thomas

Committee

Jeannie Thomas

Committee

Jan Roush

Committee

Christie Fox

Abstract

American Indian educational policy has had a troubled existence from its inception, as exemplified by the Pratt model of the Carlisle Indian School that was established in 1879. Pratt's model entailed the elimination of culture from the Native American students, often administering inhumane punishments for inappropriate behavior and never allowing parental visits. However, not all of the models that emerged from Pratt's have been negative. One positive example of American Indian education is the Intermountain Indian School founded at Brigham City, Utah, in 1950. Intermountain Indian School (IIS) functioned for 34 years, educating thousands of students with the goal of maintaining their culture, allowing parental and tribal input, as well as encouraging community support. Both schools had administrators that meant well at the schools' inceptions but the differences between the two are quite striking and will be discussed herein.

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