Repatriation of Native American Children from Carlisle School

Mon Dec 01 2025 01:54:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The remains of 17 Native American students, exhumed from a cemetery at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, have been returned to their tribes, marking a significant step towards healing for the families and communities impacted by the boarding school era.

Matavito Horse and Leah Road Traveler, along with 15 other Native American children from various tribes, were recently repatriated after being exhumed from a cemetery at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. Their deaths occurred during a time when the school was part of a U.S. government initiative to erase Indigenous identities. Tribal nations have been making persistent efforts to identify and return these children to their families. This repatriation is deemed vital in addressing the past injustices faced by Native American communities, highlighting the traumas inflicted during the boarding school era.

In October 1879, Matavito Horse and Leah Road Traveler were among the first students to arrive at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a troubling institution aimed at erasing Native American identities. Their tragic stories, along with those of 15 other students, were brought to attention when their remains were finally returned to their tribes after being exhumed from a cemetery in Pennsylvania.

Last month, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma conducted burial ceremonies for their lost children, marking a critical moment in their journey for justice and healing. This repatriation was a significant achievement for the tribes, who have consistently fought for the recognition and return of their descendants.

The Carlisle school, which operated from 1879 to 1918, housed around 7,800 students from over 100 different tribes. The atmosphere was rife with trauma, as students experienced loss of family, culture, and identity. Historical records indicate that many of these children died from various diseases and harsh conditions without adequate care.

As recent investigations reveal, the impact of these institutions continues to haunt Native American communities. Dark secrets from the past about abuse and neglect in boarding schools are now being acknowledged, reflecting on the emotional scars that survivors carry.

Historians and tribal leaders have brought attention to the female students and their artistic talents, contributing to the identity of their communities. Elsie Davis, a promising artist among the repatriated students, is remembered for her works even after her untimely death.

Continuing efforts for repatriation require not only resolve from the tribal nations but also accountability from the U.S. government and churches involved. As the process of identifying remains unfolds, it showcases the complexities of reconciliation and remembrance in the pursuit of justice for Indigenous peoples.