During my time in Alaska, I had the pleasure of meeting with Benjamin Jacuk, an Indigenous Researcher based at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Benjamin’s research focuses on the ‘boarding school era’ in Alaska. In conjunction with the Alaska Native Heritage Center and other partnerships, Benjamin seeks to advance awareness and understanding of this historical period in order to facilitate future healing.
Benjamin’s interest in this subject stems not only from his academic pursuits but also from his personal connection: his grandfather attended a federal boarding school. Benjamin acknowledged that the ‘boarding school era’ was something that was only just now beginning to be talked about within Alaska. He discussed the complex challenges involved in uncovering hidden histories, in addition to inter-generational trauma and the pain inherent in remembering.
Alaska was the first nation where federal boarding schools were introduced, establishing a blueprint for cultural assimilation policies that coincided with Indigenous territorial dispossession. Benjamin explained that while these schools aimed to assimilate Native children into American culture, an underlying motive was the acquisition of Indigenous lands and resources. Children were taken from their families, forbidden to speak their languages and disconnected from their cultural heritage. These practices left long-term scars on individuals, families, and communities, reinforcing harmful narratives that persist to this day.
Benjamin discussed how the negative stereotypes propagated by the boarding school system painted Indigenous people as ‘uncivilized’ and ‘savage.’ He emphasised that this narrative didn't simply end with the closure of the institutions in which it had its foundations, but still remained today, as evidenced in structural inequalities. Alaska Natives today face disproportionate rates of homelessness, mental health challenges, substance misuse, suicide and poverty. For Benjamin, an essential part of his work involves connecting Indigenous youth with their culture and identity, providing them with a source of strength to counter these adverse outcomes and reduce risks associated with suicide and substance misuse.
Benjamin highlighted the US Department of the Interior, Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative as a pivotal step forward. The initiative includes several efforts to address the impacts of boarding schools:
The Federal Indian Boarding School Investigative Report - Volume 1 of this report provides an in-depth examination of the federal boarding school system, uncovering the history and implications of these institutions. https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/bsi_investigative_report_may_2022_508.pdf
The Road to Healing - Led by Secretary Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland, this nationwide tour offered Indigenous survivors the opportunity to share their experiences and connected individuals to trauma-informed support.
An Oral History Project - This project aims to document and publicly share the experiences of Indigenous children who attended federal boarding schools, preserving firsthand accounts and memories for future generations.
Following our conversation, Benjamin guided me through the Center, showcasing the first exhibition dedicated to the experiences of Alaska Natives in federal boarding schools—a landmark step in bringing these stories to light.
Benjamin also introduced me to the Center's boarding school totem pole. The totem pole is dedicated to Indian boarding school survivors, descendants and ancestors who did not return home. It is an important symbol of healing and acknowledgement of the past.
The totem's carvings depict bear mother, holding her two cubs, while the father, in human form, sits above her, embedded within the Raven's tail. Above him, the Raven in shown mid-transformation, between human and bird forms. Two children, in human form, rest in Raven's ears, symbolising how to live in both worlds.
Our tour continued to the Hall of Cultures, which displays Alaska’s main cultural groups and the village sites, which showcase traditional dwellings and life-ways of Alaska Native communities. In addition, I was privileged to have the opportunity to witness demonstrations of native games and native songs and dance, highlighting the rich traditions that endure despite a history of cultural erasure.
For Benjamin, the legacy of the boarding school era impacts every Alaska Native alive today. He emphasised the importance of knowing the full truth to fully grasp ‘what we are healing from’. In Benjamin's view, a fundamental part of this healing process involves taking back ownership of land and the rights to self-governance. Yet perhaps the greatest step towards healing comes with the recognition, understanding and acknowledgement of this painful past, paired with the freedom to reclaim the narrative and 'tell our own story'.
(With heartfelt thanks to Benjamin and the staff at the Alaska Native Heritage Center)