Native American Heritage Month at HIS
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ast month the United States celebrated Native American Heritage Month. Thanks to the supporting friends of Holbrook Indian School, the Native American student body can celebrate and learn about their heritage all year in a safe space to live, learn, and grow in Christ. Boarding schools for Native children began to be established in 1860. These schools were built on reservations, and the end goal was to eradicate all that remained of Native culture. After nearly 20 years of these reservation boarding schools, a new school of thought was introduced by Richard Henry Pratt: “Kill the Indian, save the man.” Holbrook Indian School (HIS) opened its doors in 1946 with a different ideology. HIS has never been about “killing the Indian;” it is about helping students reclaim their identity. Through pottery and other Indigenous arts, Navajo language and government classes, a horsemanship program, and sustainable farming/agriculture, students are connected to their heritage throughout the school year. These programs exist because of the faithful support of friends throughout the Pacific Union Conference and beyond. November was a special month for celebrating HIS
28 Pacific Union Recorder
Holbrook Indian School
