Assimilation- Native Americans

Native American assimilation refers to the ongoing process that occurs when Native American tribes and individuals have been encouraged or forced to adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of European American society. This assimilation policy was implemented by the United States government and aimed to transform Native Americans into their version of a "civilized" citizens. Often this would be at the expense of Native Americans cultural identity, languages, and traditional ways of life. The assimilation efforts have had lasting impacts on Native American communities, leading to complex and multifaceted outcomes.

The policy of Native American assimilation gained significant momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The U.S. government sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society as part of its westward expansion and efforts to solidify its territorial control. This would be seen with laws like the The Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830 whose goal was to dismantle tribal structures, break traditional ties to ancestral lands by relocating Native Americans, and promote individual land ownership and farming as the new way of life for Native Americans.

One of the most well-known efforts in Native American assimilation was the establishment of Indian boarding schools. These schools, primarily operated by religious organizations and the government, aimed to "civilize" Native American children by separating them from their families and communities. In the Article “A century of trauma at U.S. boarding schools for Native American children” author Erin Blakemore goes on to state, “the Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first boarding school to educate Native American children in an off-reservation setting, far from home. The federally funded school's philosophy was to ‘kill the Indian, save the man’, forcing their assimilation to white culture by forbidding the use of native languages and cultural practices.” This is a perfect way to describe the extreme assimilation process forced onto Native Americans. Children were also forbidden from speaking their native languages or practicing their cultural traditions. Instead, they were taught English and forced to learn Western education and Christianity. The boarding school system had devastating consequences for Native American communities. It resulted in the loss of language, cultural knowledge, and traditional practices that were vital for maintaining cultural identity.

Another way Native American were forcefully assimilated was the adoption of the General Allotment Act of 1887. This act divided tribal lands into individual parcels, which were then allocated to Native American families. The intention was to encourage farming and private land ownership, but the consequences were disastrous for many tribes. Much of the land was sold to non-Native Americans, leaving Native Americans with insufficient land holdings. This led to the loss of traditional territories and severely impacted them not only culturally but economically as well. As part of the assimilation policy, Native Americans were also encouraged to adopt European-style clothing, housing, and livelihoods. Native Americans were pushed to embrace a sedentary agricultural lifestyle, which often clashed with their ecological and cultural practices.

Despite the immense pressure to assimilate, Native American communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience in preserving their cultural heritage. Many traditions, languages, and customs have been passed down through generations, with efforts to revive and revitalize indigenous culture and practices. In the mid-20th century, federal policies began to shift away from forced assimilation and toward a recognition of Native American tribal sovereignty. 

Today challenges to Native American assimilation still exist. Economic struggles within most Native American families, health inequalities, and limited access to education and resources continue to affect many Native American communities. Historical trauma and the long-term impacts of assimilation policies still shape social issues faced by Native Americans today.

In conclusion, Native American assimilation has been complex and controversial, the policy of forced assimilation through Indian boarding schools and suppression of cultural practices had lasting effects on Native American communities. However, Native Americans' ongoing efforts to preserve their cultural heritage have demonstrated the strength of their cultural identity. Today, Native Americans are increasingly recognized for their sovereignty and supporting their efforts to revitalize their languages and traditions, fostering a more inclusive and culturally diverse society.