This presentation will cover over 100 years of boarding school history and experiences. It will begin with the reasoning behind the founding of the government-based schools in the late 1800s, followed by a discussion of the changes and transitions these schools made that encompassed multiple generations of Native youth. The presentation will be a blending of both historical fact and oral storytelling.
Content warning: There will be empathy-based scenarios, vivid photography, and imagery, as well as a short video interview that includes the personal story of a boarding school survivor.
Gabriann says, "When I speak about boarding schools, it comes from the heart as my grandmother Marilyn Mitchell Hall was a survivor of Canyonville Bible Academy in Oregon and Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas. It is important for me to explain the intentions and the impacts, both short and long-term that these schools had on our families, tribes, and communities. I also strive to honor the memories of all the strong, resilient Native people who were forced into these schools and tell their stories with respect and gratitude."
Gabriann "Abby" Hall is an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes. She was born and raised in the Fort Klamath Valley and attended school in Chiloquin, Oregon. She then went to Oregon State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and later a Master of Arts in Teaching. She currently teaches Ethnic Studies and Native Studies at Central Oregon Community College. Teaching diverse history is a passion of hers. She believes that understanding the impacts of the past on the present is instrumental to successfully navigating the world today.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon (OLLI-UO) in Central Oregon invites community members to participate in our Friday Talks in partnership with the Deschutes Public Library. OLLI-UO is an intellectual and social community of engaged adult learners, connecting members to university faculty and professionals in respective fields. A six-month or yearlong membership allows participation in a variety of lectures, courses, peer-led study and discussion groups, educational tours, field trips, and social events.