Chandler Museum Sheds Light on Indigenous History with American Indian Boarding School Exhibition

The Chandler Museum is unveiling an exhibition that digs into the painful yet resilient history of American Indian boarding schools in the United States. “Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories” casts a light on the experiences of Indigenous children who were uprooted from their homes as part of a government assimilation effort starting in the 1870s, as reported by the

City of Chandler

. These schools, often far from the children’s communities, aimed to strip them of their cultural identities and languages.

The history is a bleak one, with children being trained for domestic work and trade in a strict environment up until the 1930s, many losing years of contact with their families. This stark narrative is now on display from Nov. 12 through Jan. 5, 2025, providing an insight into the generational impacts that have rippled through time.

As confirmed by the

City of Chandler

, the exhibition brings a variety of voices to the fore, highlighting stories of endurance, agency, and dignity. Visitors should be prepared for an educational journey that does not shy away from the harsh realities faced by these children—including the use of historically racist language and descriptions of indignities.

The museum, located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, is an interactive hub where the local community can engage with the history, culture, and current affairs of its people. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the museum encourages a more mature audience, from eighth graders to adults, to experience the exhibition free of charge, as per the

City of Chandler

. For additional information on the exhibition or to plan a visit, reach out to the Chandler Museum at 480-782-2717 or online.

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