SHerman Institute

Sometimes it was hard to understand what people were talking about so I don’t quite understand some parts… but I think the strength of the video “Sherman Indian High School” was that it included many of interviews from former students. Interviews provided us the true voice from students so we could understand how the life in Sherman Institute actually was. At the same time, I realized that almost all of the interviewees were either currently working or worked before at the Sherman Institute. The selection of interviewee made the voice biased because people working at the school may have more favorable view toward the school.
I also realized that the education implemented in the Sherman Institute gradually changed over time. At the time the school was established, it was more like a vocational school where students learn how to clean, cook, farming, painting etc. There was also a special class which students actually go to farm or White American’s house to receive practical training to be a farmer or domestic servant. The timeline was strictly scheduled like DI school system in City Spring; students were trained in militaristic way like in “Discipline and Punish” by Foucault; and they were prohibited speaking their native language and wore same uniforms like in “School Uniform and the Disciplining of Appearances” by Dussel. From interviews, I got an impression that so many of students didn’t like the school at that time—many of them wanted to leave there, although they rarely were able to go back to their home.
However, as time went by, the education changed tremendously. The school introduced the tribal dance and clothing in culture class, taught Indian American history in history class, and celebrated Indian day. But I was wondering whether students learn those things as Indian or American… because I felt like students were more like “Americans” who were learning Indian culture and history… I wonder how the educational change over time altered the students’ attitude toward their own tribe and culture.