Introduction
Mine Turned Out to be “Fred”: Boarding Schools and the Assimilation of Wakanyeja (Children, pronounced wah-kahn-yah-zjah) is an exhibition about Native American boarding schools and the effects these schools had on Native culture, communities, and children. This exhibit informs viewers about the background and operations of these institutions, as well as about specific boarding schools in South Dakota. Personal experiences of boarding school attendees are also featured. As viewers progress through the exhibit, they are encouraged to pause for time to think about the Reflection questions.
The goal of the exhibit is to educate viewers about the significance of this history, leading to an improved understanding of Indigenous culture. It is not meant to evoke guilt or sadness because, throughout it all, the beautiful thing is that Native American people are still here. Despite the deep and ongoing impact of these schools on Indigenous communities, Indigenous people continue to thrive with resilience.
