To put it all in context, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first government-run boarding school for Native American children, established in 1879 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Its mission, reflected in the brutal motto “Kill the Indian, Save the Man,” was to forcibly assimilate Native children into white American society by erasing their cultures and identities. Though the school closed its doors in 1918, the trauma and cultural loss it inflicted continue to echo through Native communities today. This article briefly explores the genesis and mission of the Carlisle Indian School Project spearheaded by the Circle Legacy Center–an Indigenous-led nonprofit established in 2007 and based in Lancaster, PA. Also this article explores why the Board members, including descendants of Carlisle students, are seeking to establish an Indigenous-led interpretive center near the grounds of the school’s cemetery.
Their Genesis
Back around 2010, Circle Legacy’s board of directors were focusing on their Native American history around the city of Lancaster. Soon after, they started to examine the infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School, located not far from that city. To their dismay, they found that the only acknowledgment of the school’s painful history in Carlisle was 182 graves. This was disheartening. At the time the President, Mary Anne Robins (Onondaga), a descendant of Carlisle students, and Sandi Cianciulli of Lakhota descent from her father’s side, knew they needed to do something about this. Barbara Christ who served as Treasurer, and Barry Lee who serves as Executive Director for the center, were deeply concerned. There after, the Center partnered with Barbara Landis, a historian of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Landis provided invaluable support by guiding them through the school’s site and offering to trace their relatives’ histories. This initial experience led to the creation of the Carlisle Indian School Project. Then, it was incorporated in 2016 as a non-profit organization. The project has been pivotal in making sure the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, works with the tribes and descendants of the students who attended the school or are buried in the cemetery. At the same time, members with the help of Dickinson college, are helping families find their relatives. The Dickinson College is digitally archiving the Carlisle school’s records. This is how Sandi was able to find her relatives. They were among the first class sent as hostages to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in 1879. This was a military decision to ensure the compliance of the Tribes with U.S. treaties.
Join their initiative and program.
The project’s main initiative today is to acquire land in Carlisle to establish an interpretive center. Members want to tell the true story of the Native students who attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, and the communities impacted by the boarding school era. The project will aim to work closely with tribes to develop this center. Ensuring it accurately reflects their experiences, perspectives, and traditions. The interpretive center will serve as an educational resource and a place of healing. It will address the deep emotional and cultural gaps left by the separation of families. As the impact continues to affect Native communities today.
A program they held annually (April-May) with the the Army War College, is the Jim Thorpe Sports Day. When members from the project and the center first visited this event, they were enamored. The event brought together athletes of the Army War college and people of all backgrounds. Consequently, Sandi proposed that they wanted to invite every year a Native veteran to speak before the competition began. The organizers and college officials agreed to try this for five years. This also offered the special guest a stay in the Jim Thorpe bedroom. This year 2024, Jim Thorpe Sports Day, had the honor to have the Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. deliver a powerful speech [watch here]. His speech highlights the resilience of Native communities. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of honoring the legacy of Indigenous athletes like Jim Thorpe.
Additionally, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, guests gather for a ceremony at the Carlisle Cemetery at 11 a.m. This is followed by tours of the school grounds led by Sandi and Mary Anne. For future tours and more information contact the Carlisle Indian School Project and Circle Legacy Center.
Who is leading the organization today?
Ed Hall now serves as President, and General Jonie Matthews, and Mary Anne Robins are the remaining active board members. Sandi, now President Emeritus, continues to advocate for the project’s goals. The public can contact and follow the project’s progress on Facebook and explore the digital archives at the Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center.
Curriculum Offered by the National Park Service:
Recent news about the Carlisle Indian Industrial school:
Services Saturday for Wichita child who died at Carlisle boarding school 160 years ago | By Analyse Jester (Gaylord News), Published: Sep. 20, 2024 at 3:08 PM EDT
Remains of three people repatriated to Fort Belknap Indian community | By: MTN News, Posted 12:08 PM, Sep 20, 2024 and last updated 12:16 PM, Sep 20, 2024
Home from Carlisle: A father’s wish fulfilled after more than 130 years | By Indian Country Today, Charles Fox, Sep 18, 2024
Army Begins Disinterment and Return of Remains for 11 Native Children Who Died at Carlisle Indian Boarding School | By Native News Online Staff, September 05, 2024
Eleven more students will go home from Carlisle | By: Indian Country Today, Mary Annette Pember and Stewart Huntington, Updated: Apr 24, 2024 Original: Apr 24, 2024
