Carlisle Indian Industrial: A School with Quaker Roots

Quakers have long held significant and complex roles in the history of U.S. relation to First Peoples on Turtle Island.  Indigenous peoples, from colonial treaty negotiations to 20th-century federal policies have sought to mediate conflicts and promote what they viewed as peaceful resolutions in company or association with F/friends. This was not always peaceful. While some treaty work was informed by principles of equality and justice, it often aligned with colonial expansion, resulting in massive displacement and suffering of Indigenous communities.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Quakers were deeply involved in the establishment and administration of assimilationist institutions, including the infamous Indian boarding schools. These schools, such as the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, sought to erase Native cultures, languages, and identities under the guise of “civilizing” Indigenous children. Quakers, alongside other mission-driven groups, were instrumental in these efforts, believing they were aiding Native peoples while participating in systems of profound harm.

Today, the U.S. government continues to grapple with the legacies of these policies. At a recent White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Joe Biden announced designation of a National Monument at the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Quakers and similar mission driven churches had outsized role in the early development, philosophy and implementation of this school and many others. The landmark recognition acknowledges deep trauma inflicted federal boarding schools the communities of faith that organized, ran, and profited from them (and in some ways continue this harm today). If it honors resilience of the children who suffered under these policies and practices we are moving out of a very bad experience and systemic problem.

As we can see in our current events history is always being revisited. Political victors often alter/rewrite history. Quakers are called to reckon with participation in systems of harm while working toward healing and justice. By engaging with Secretary Quakers have long held a significant, though complex, role in the history of U.S. relations with Indigenous peoples. From colonial treaty negotiations to 20th-century federal policies, Friends often sought to mediate conflicts and promote what they viewed as peaceful resolutions. While some treaty work was informed by principles of equality and justice, it often aligned with colonial expansion, resulting in the displacement and suffering of Indigenous communities.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Quakers were deeply involved in the establishment and administration of assimilationist institutions, including the infamous Indian boarding schools. These schools, such as the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, sought to erase Native cultures, languages, and identities under the guise of “civilizing” Indigenous children. Quakers, alongside other mission-driven groups, were instrumental in these efforts, believing they were aiding Native peoples while participating in systems of profound harm.

Today, the U.S. government continues to grapple with the legacies of these policies. At the upcoming White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Joe Biden will announce the designation of a National Monument at the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This landmark recognition acknowledges the deep trauma inflicted by federal boarding schools and honors the resilience of the children who suffered under these policies.

As this history is always being revised and updated; this story will evolve and be revisited. We have records to share.  Quakers are called to reckon with our participation in these systems while working toward healing and justice. By engaging with the Department of the Interior, now led by Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person to hold a cabinet position, Friends have an opportunity to support initiatives that acknowledge past harms and uphold Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. This moment invites reflection and renewed commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation in partnership with Native nations.

Secretary Deb Haaland first Indigenous person to hold a cabinet post (Department of Interior)

Friends have an opportunity to support initiatives that acknowledge past harms and uphold Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. This moment invites reflection and renewed commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation in partnership with Native nations.