Lenape Exhibit Confronts Forced Assimilation and Land Loss in New York
A new exhibition in New York presents the art and living culture of the Lenape, the first Native New Yorkers, alongside their ongoing fight for their ancestral land. The show directly counters the legacy of the US government's 19th-century assimilation campaign, which funded more than 500 "Indian boarding schools." Children were removed from their families, often by force, had their hair cut, lost their original names, and were taught to feel shame about their heritage and customs. The schools operated like military academies: uniforms were mandatory and punishment included solitary confinement and flogging. Richard Henry Pratt, who founded the first such school, stated its purpose was to "kill the Indian, save the man." The practices continued for decades, and numerous children suffered physical and sexual abuse. At least 1,000 children died. The exhibit argues that despite this history of abduction and renaming, Lenape culture remains vibrant and alive today, and it links that cultural survival to the continuing struggle for Lenape land.
Key facts
- A new exhibition in New York focuses on the Lenape, described as the first Native New Yorkers, and their fight for their land.
- The US government funded more than 500 "Indian boarding schools" during the 19th century to forcibly assimilate Native American children into western culture.
- Students were taken from their families, frequently by force, forced to cut their hair, stripped of their original names, and taught to feel shame about their heritage and customs.
- The schools were run like military academies, requiring uniforms and subjecting children to severe physical punishment including solitary confinement and flogging.
- Richard Henry Pratt, who established the first of these schools, declared their explicit purpose was to "kill the Indian, save the man."
- Assimilation practices persisted for decades, during which numerous children endured physical and sexual abuse.
- At least 1,000 children lost their lives in the boarding school system.
- The exhibit presents Lenape modern-day culture as vibrant and alive, countering the assimilationist project.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Henry Pratt
Institutions
- The Guardian
Locations
- New York
- United States