Left with the initial impression that these young children were victims of a harsh, cruel, and unforgiving educational system the next section of this book outlines the manner in which the “inmates” fought against a system meant to break them down and then reconstruct them. Blatant disregard of authority in the forms of talking back, refusing to perform requests, and selective hearing were often displayed to the Jesuit priests. Of course, there were repercussions handed out for such disrespect. Often using the nearest item the priests would hit a student (bell, pieces of wood, sticks) until the student would submit. Otherwise verbal assaults and lengthy removal were executed.
Indian Residential School students holding up letters spelling "goodbye" at the Fort Simpson School in the Northwest Territories, 1922. Credit: J.F. Moran / Library and Archives Canada / PA-102575The day started at 6:15 in the morning and a strict scheduled was followed throughout the day. The students were reminded of each transition with the sound of a clapper, bell, whistle or gong. Sound management was considered an efficient method to manage obedience, conformity, uniformity, and surrender. Breakfast, work, and classes made up the morning routine. Lunch, a game of baseball, returning to class and work made up the afternoon schedule and from 7:30 to 10:00 students were expected to study. Very little time was spent on leisure activities.
I found it interesting that the Jesuit priests allowed the students to fight. If a student had an issue with another student they would place a wood chip or a rock on that individual’s shoulder. This was literally displaying that they had a “chip on their shoulder”. The individual who wanted to handle the disagreement would do whatever they could do to knock the chip/rock off. Once the assailant knocked the item off the shoulder a full out fight would break out. No one intervened, not even if it was a younger sibling or friend. The fights were always considered “fair” and only ended when one would submit to the other. The author mentioned that fights were considered a form of entertainment for the students and he assumed that it was for the priests as well. The fights broke the monotony of the daily schedule.
Image: Wooden Clapper http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
When I reflect upon Chilocco and its similarities it is understood that boarding/residential schools dictated almost every moment and movement of their students. Regardless of the strategy the students, themselves, found ways to maintain their social connections and rebel against the system. In some respect they were willing to give up a little to make the days go by faster, but they were not going to give up on who they were easily.
When I reflect upon Chilocco and its similarities it is understood that boarding/residential schools dictated almost every moment and movement of their students. Regardless of the strategy the students, themselves, found ways to maintain their social connections and rebel against the system. In some respect they were willing to give up a little to make the days go by faster, but they were not going to give up on who they were easily.
Hello Leah,
ReplyDeleteYour posts are quite interesting in the fact that they actually coincide with the material that we learn in class. I'm glad that you point out the various classroom managment techniques that they use in their classroom. I was also quite surprised that the priests use to let the students fight during class time. In the chilocco book the students didn't really mention anything about fighting with eachother. It would be nice to get a visual timeline of all of our books and put them together so we can kind of see how the boarding schools evolved.I think you are doing a great job by giving us a model that we can reflect upon. Thank you for sharing!!
Hello Leah,
ReplyDeleteWell the very first thing that jumped out at me was that the preist actually allowed them to fight. The way I think about it is that once the fight is over then the disput is over. No more grudges or hard feelings it was in the childrens hands to settle it. I do not think that it was in any case right, however that is my point of view. I also think back like Billi did mention it never remember hearing anything about fighting in Chilocco or my book so far. I wonder how much fighting really took place in these boarding schools and how they were disciplined, if they were at all.