Chapter 11 - Montana Historical Society

But Hamilton spoke for the traditional
families who lived in desperate
poverty because of federal
programs. Hamilton had graduated
from Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, and his knowledge and
eloquence (ability to speak convincingly)
made Congress listen.
His leadership kept the tribe from
losing power, money, and much of
its land base.
The boarding school era lasted from 1880 to 1934. During that time,
family ties broke apart. Several generations of Indian children grew
up far from the love and guidance of parents, family, and community.
When they had children of their own, they had no role models for
parenthood. Many American Indian families still struggle with the aftereffects
of the boarding school era.
Yet many children found ways to survive and maintain their cultural
identity. They forged intertribal (between tribes) friendships that later
“
A year before I was sent away [to school] my
grandfather died. When he died he called me
to his death bed. He said, ‘I want you to promise
me that you will become educated and that
you will be the fi rst one to go ahead and do this
for all the family.’ He put a lot on my shoulders,
and I told him I would.
”
—MINERVA ALLEN, CHIPPEWA, ASSINIBOINE, AND GROS VENTRE EDUCATOR FROM FORT BELKNAP
FIGURE 11.20: These 12 graduates at
the Carlisle Indian Industrial School
in 1892 were from seven different
tribes. Many Indian students befriended
and married members of
other tribes, establishing intertribal
connections that helped American
Indians gain political power.
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