Indian Education

The story’s title introduces one of its key themes: Systemic Racism in the Indigenous Education System. Historically, Indigenous education in the United States sought to efface Indigenous culture by erasing tribal customs and language, forcing children to assimilate to mainstream (i.e., white) American culture. Beginning in the 19th century, the federal government established Indigenous boarding schools designed to “civilize” Indigenous children by forcibly removing them from their families and communities. This often resulted in a traumatic disconnect between Indigenous people who left the reservation and their friends and families back home. 

Though “Indian Education” is set in the late 20th century and does not address this historical context explicitly, the lingering cultural legacy of these institutions remains clear: It is no accident, for example, that Betty Towle is a missionary, as many boarding schools were run by Christian missionaries. More broadly, Junior’s teachers treat him with condescension, prejudice, and even outright hostility, which reflects how the educational system perpetuates cultural erasure rather than empowerment. Junior’s time at the reservation school is marked by persecution: He is bullied by both his classmates and his teachers, especially Towle, who exhibits a particular sadism and a deep prejudice toward her students.