One horror story is about the forced assimilation. Native American children were taken from their families and forced to abandon their own languages, cultures, and traditions. They were punished severely if they were caught speaking their native tongues. For example, they might be beaten or made to stand in cold water for long periods.
They're disturbing because of the blatant abuse of power. The people in charge of the boarding schools had complete control over the children. They could do whatever they wanted, and often they chose to be cruel.
Many survivors talk about the harsh living conditions. There was often not enough food, and the dormitories were overcrowded. Some students had to do hard labor, like farming or cleaning, instead of getting a proper education. This was a form of cultural and physical oppression.
There are stories of bullying. In some boarding schools, a group of mean students might target a vulnerable new student. They could steal the new kid's things, spread false rumors about them, and even physically assault them in areas where there's little supervision, like in the bathrooms or empty hallways. It makes the victim's boarding school experience a living nightmare.
One common theme is the loss of cultural identity. Native American children were often forced to abandon their traditional languages, customs, and beliefs in these boarding schools. Another theme is the experience of abuse and neglect. Many students faced physical and emotional abuse from the school staff. Also, the struggle for survival and adaptation is a theme. They had to adapt to a completely different and often harsh environment away from their families.
Isolation is a common element. Since students are away from their families, they feel more vulnerable. For example, in many stories, students are in a remote boarding school in the middle of nowhere.
One horror story is about a boarding school where there were strange noises at night. Students would often hear scratching on their dorm room doors but when they opened it, there was nothing there. It really freaked them out and made it hard for them to sleep.
In the 'indian boarding school story', it often shows the forced assimilation of Native American children. They were taken from their families and tribes. At these schools, their native languages and cultures were suppressed. They had to abide by strict, often Euro - American rules that were foreign to them.
Well, in Indian boarding school novels, a key theme is the power dynamics. The white educators held all the power over the Indian students. There is also the theme of isolation. The children were cut off from their families and tribes. Additionally, the theme of education as a tool of oppression is often explored, as the education provided was more about indoctrination than true learning.
Well, in indian boarding school survivors stories, a prevalent theme is the struggle to reclaim their heritage later in life. After years of suppression in the boarding schools, survivors often have to fight to relearn and revive their cultural roots. Additionally, the sense of isolation is a big theme. They were isolated from their communities and made to feel like outcasts in their own land. And many stories talk about the long - term psychological effects, like depression and anxiety, that the boarding school experience left on them.