Community News

Indian Residential Boarding Schools

By Leatha Jimerson

In recent months, there has been much discussion on social media and news outlets regarding Indian residential boarding schools. We have learned of the finding of graves of young Indian children on the grounds of Indian boarding schools especially in Canada. It is very disturbing, hurtful and painful to think of this happening to our children.

This is a part of our history that is not talked about, taught or thought of through our lives. In order understand the good and the bad, educating ourselves on how the schools came to be and what life was like is important to know.

Most of us in the community know relatives (siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents etc.) who attended a boarding school. On the Cattaraugus Territory, there was the Thomas Indian School (also an orphanage). On the Allegany Territory, there was the Tunessasa Quaker School. Children were also sent to other schools such as Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, the Hampton Institute in Virginia and other schools.

IGS will have an information table at the Seneca Fall Festival this year. The theme will be Indian Residential boarding schools. We will have various lists available for people to view. We will be at the festival on Saturday, September 11, 2021. We hope to see you there!

The following are various student lists on our website of Indian Boarding schools:

Go to our website: IROQUOISGENEALOGYSOCIETY.ORG and click on SCHOOL RECORDS

• ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE THOMAS INDIAN SCHOOL 1899-1908
• ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE THOMAS INDIAN SCHOOL 1905-1942
• A LIST OF STUDENTS ATTENDING THOMAS INDIAN SCHOOL 1855-1955
• THOMAS ASYLUM REGISTER OF INDIAN CHILDREN 1855-1881
• ALL STUDENTS DISCHAGED FROM THOMAS INDIAN SCHOOL SINCE ITS FOUNDING
• A LIST OF TUNESSASSA 1860-1938 WITH SOME GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION
• SENECA STUDENTS OF CARLISLE INDIAN SCHOOL
• NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS HAMPTON NORMAL &AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE, FEMALE/MALES

Please stay safe and healthy!