The Alaska Native boarding school experience is the subject of a recent report by the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Researcher Diane Hirshberg said she found a broad range of experiences. Some Alaska Natives said they saw physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse by teachers and students and other problems. One woman said all of her brothers who attended boarding schools committed suicide by the age of 28.

Others said they were happy to have developed close friendships were grateful for the educational opportunity and learned to be independent. Some credited the the passage of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to the boarding school experience.

Get the Story:
Boarding school effects on Natives studied (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 2/10)

Boarding School Report:
Long- term Effects of Boarding Schools (September 2005)

Relevant Links:
Institute of Social and Economic Research - http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu

Related Stories:
Tim Giago: BIA schools turned abused into abusers (12/13)
Play recounts Native boarding school experience (05/11)
Lawyer in $25B abuse case to file claim with BIA (11/17)
Judge dismisses $25B BIA boarding school suit (11/08)
Canada slow to compensate Native abuse victims (11/5)
Canada wants abuse victim to return settlement (09/17)
Anderson eyes changes in BIA school system (07/23)
South Dakota Indians sue churches over abuse (07/13)
Suit alleges abuse at Indian boarding schools (7/2)
Apology resolution faces additional delays under Bush (06/22)
High-profile bills delayed by Senate committee (6/17)
Consideration of U.S. apology resolution delayed (05/20)
Apology from U.S. requested by Kansas Senator (5/19)
Tim Giago: Abuse suit lawyers are questionable (05/15)
Indian boarding school abuse suit seeks $25B (4/14)