BIA Providers conference

I am sitting in the convention center during the afternoon break. The main presentation I was hoping to see on boarding school research was unfortunately moved to another timeslot before I was able to arrive yesterday. That was disappointing but I was able to track down someone who attended the presentation (also happens to know my dad) and should be able to give me a copy of the audio recording he took. He gave me a short summary. I also tracked down the email of the presenter/researcher because my cousin used to work for him; it was a small world! From what I understand, the presentation centered around the research highlighted in this article.

Sheldon Jackson, a presbyterian missionary with ties to Carlisle’s eventual superintendent, Richard Pratt, first came to the state on a mission in 1877. By 1878, he had founded the Sitka Mission to assimilate Alaska Native boys, the precursor for the Sheldon Jackson College, a year before Carlisle opened, according to the Alaska Native Knowledge Network.

“We have evidence of [militarization in boarding schools] occurring in Alaska, through Jackson, as early as 1877,” Jacuk-Dolchok said. “Usually, that's something that is attributed to Carlisle. The problem with that is that Carlisle opened up two years later, which means militarization of boarding schools was something that not only started with the church, but the church within Alaska”

Later, Sheldon Jackson became the General Agent of Education in Alaska, where he recruited Alaska Native children and began what would become a legacy of relocating Native children to boarding schools across the country.

I am looking forward to potentially speaking directly with him about what he has found. Let's hope my magic networking skills make a difference!

Another sweet moment happened as I was coming back from breakfast. I stopped in the Tlingit & Haida office to update my ID and address with the Tribe. I got to gabbing with the lady in the office processing my paperwork, and it turns out she knew my Grandma! I may have never been to Anchorage before but it’s moments like this that make me feel at home in Alaska.

I’ll be back in my office soon with more updates to come.

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