This year marks the 100th anniversary of the closing of our nation’s first Indian Boarding School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. These residential facilities were first established under Christian missionaries with the intent to “civilize” and “Christianize” indigenous children, sometimes removing them forcibly from their parents‘ homes. An oft repeated phrase was “Kill the Indian to spare the child.”
In observance of this infamous point in U.S. history, the Carlisle Historical Society and Dickinson College are sponsoring a Centennial Commemoration Conference from Thursday–Sunday, October 4–7, to share the history of the school and provide an opportunity to hear the descendant narratives and post-boarding school experiences of those impacted by this racist chapter in our history.
The conference is free, but participants are responsible for transportation, lodging, and meals. Members of the ELPC Justice Committee will attend this important event and welcome others to join them. There are several hotels offering a discounted conference rate. The Justice Committee will arrange for car pooling to the Comfort Inn Suites for those who are interested.
If you are interested in attending the conference, please contact Michele Bossers by Sunday, September 9, at michele2285@gmail.com or 412.303.9243. For more information, visit tiny.cc/Carlisle-Commemoration.