“Kill the Indian, save the man.” (c 1882)

How the Carlisle Indian School "drove the Indian" out of its students

The Carlisle Indian School was founded in 1879 by Colonel RH Pratt. His method was to “drive the Indian” out of them. His motto “Kill the Indian, save the man.”

Here’s two photos of Tom Torlino, a Navaho who arrived at Carlisle a few years after it opened. The second photo shows Tom’s transformation. His lighter skin is most likely the intentional product of the photographer’s lighting.

Before and after “contrast” photos were sent to officials in Washington, to potential charitable donors and to other reservations to recruit new students. Pratt’s photographs showing his “quick results” helped persuade Washington that he was doing vital work.

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Source images here