[Review of] Robert Utley, Battlefield and Classroom: An Autobiography of Richard Henry Pratt

Battlefield and classroom is an important book that looks at a crucial era in American Indian history. Robert Utley\u27s notes have done an excellent job in making Richard Pratt and his motivations and impact on American Indian tribal life accessible to the average reader while retaining the book\u27s value as a scholarly work. It is a must read for those attempting to understand the importance of the boarding school era. With this book, Utley has successfully reopened the debate that has surrounded Richard Pratt and his motives

They Never Told Us They Wanted to Help Us: An oral history of Saint Joseph\u27s Indian Industrial School

The absorption of diverse groups into American society was one of the major concerns of the 19th century. A little known aspect of this concern was the formation of the American Indian boarding school movement. Boarding schools were established around the nation to aid the absorption of American Indian youth into mainstream American society. To achieve this aim the federal Indian Office contracted with various organizations, including the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, to operate these schools. One of these schools was Saint Joseph\u27s Indian Industrial School located in Keshena, Wisconsin on the Menominee Reservation. Saint Joseph\u27s was in many ways a microcosm of 19th century American society. The contradictions inherent in both the movement and Saint Joseph\u27s were evident at the school. The school was staffed by members of immigrant groups, many of whom were European born, attempting to ensure the assimilation of American Indian youth. By understanding the successes and failures of Saint Joseph\u27s attempts to assimilate American Indians, it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the absorption of immigrant groups into American society

They Never Told Us They Wanted to Help Us: An oral history of Saint Joseph\u27s Indian Industrial School

The absorption of diverse groups into American society was one of the major concerns of the 19th century. A little known aspect of this concern was the formation of the American Indian boarding school movement. Boarding schools were established around the nation to aid the absorption of American Indian youth into mainstream American society. To achieve this aim the federal Indian Office contracted with various organizations, including the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, to operate these schools. One of these schools was Saint Joseph\u27s Indian Industrial School located in Keshena, Wisconsin on the Menominee Reservation. Saint Joseph\u27s was in many ways a microcosm of 19th century American society. The contradictions inherent in both the movement and Saint Joseph\u27s were evident at the school. The school was staffed by members of immigrant groups, many of whom were European born, attempting to ensure the assimilation of American Indian youth. By understanding the successes and failures of Saint Joseph\u27s attempts to assimilate American Indians, it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the absorption of immigrant groups into American society