SPEAKER SERIES: The System of Assimilation: History of Indian Boarding Schools

The System of Assimilation: History of Indian Boarding Schools

The Indian Boarding Schools were a nation wide effort to eradicate Native American language, culture, traditions and beliefs under federal policy. Native children from Michigan attended these schools throughout the country, with the majority of them going to one of the five schools in Michigan. The Holy Childhood of Jesus Indian boarding school in Harbor Springs was one of the last to close its doors in the country, just 40 years ago. During this presentation, Eric Hemenway, Director of Repatriation, Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, will discuss the creation of the school system and the impacts it has had on tribal communities.

Presentation: $10 per person
Space is limited. Please register early.

Click here to REGISTER ONLINE or call 906-484-1333.

About the Presenter

Eric Hemenway is an Anishinaabe/Odawa from Cross Village, Michigan. He is the Director of Repatriation, Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian, a federally recognized tribe in northern Michigan. Eric works to collect and preserve historical information for LTBB Odawa. That information is used to support the LTBB government and create educational materials on Odawa history, such as: exhibits, signage, publications, presentations, curriculums and media. Eric has worked on numerous repatriations of native, human remains under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). He is a former member of the NAGPRA Review Committee and currently sits on boards for the Michigan Historical Commission and Little Traverse Conservancy.