Boarding Schools in Alaska

Historic boarding schools for Alaska Natives were established by American newcomers (sometimes referred to as invaders or colonizers) to detribalize and assimilate indigenous people into Euro-American culture. The first boarding school established by Americans in Alaska occurred at Sitka in 1878 by Presbyterian missionaries, but in the decades that followed boarding schools opened across Alaska. These schools were operated by Christian missionaries of various denominations until around the turn of the 20th century when many of these schools were taken over by the federal government.

During this time some Alaska Natives were sent outside of Alaska to Indian Residential Schools, such as the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Pennsylvania. By the late 20th century most boarding schools in Alaska had been discontinued.

Most of these programs separated children from their families and communities in order to immerse them in Euro-American culture. Students could not speak their native language, were dressed in Euro-American styled clothing, and taught about Western civilization. The historic legacy of boarding schools for Alaska Natives, as well as Native Hawaiians and Native Americans in the Lower-48 States, is that of trauma and abuse. The highest rates of abuse occurred in Christian operated schools.

Indigenous communities have remained critical of these past educational practices, but also of contemporary efforts that empower Euro-American pedagogy and minimize the validity of indigenous education systems and pedagogy. Today many tribal nations insist on community-based schools, including tribal colleges and universities.