Please join Stacey Montooth, a citizen of the Walker River Paiute Nation and the Executive Director of the Nevada Indian Commission, to explore the history and impact of the federal government’s forced assimilation of Native Americans.
The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum outlines the true history of the Stewart Indian School, which began in 1890 as a federal government boarding school for Native American children. Spanning the 90-year operational history, former Stewart students and alums share stories about their experiences on campus. Visitors also learn about the Tribal Nations of the Great Basin, both historical and contemporary. In alignment with our mission, the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum provides a safe space, an environment of healing, and gathering for all survivors and their relatives. The many stories of hardship, resilience, strength, and triumph are at the core of the current efforts to preserve the Stewart campus. Stewart alums and former students guided the entire project from 15 different Nations. Even 43 years after this Indian boarding school and over 400 additional institutions like it were shuttered, the impact of the United States’ forced assimilation against the first people of this land still resonates today. Intergenerational trauma is experienced in poor healthcare access, low matriculation rates, high percentages of poverty, and the continued societal marginalization of the original caretakers of this land.
During a 20-minute presentation and 10-minute question and answer session, Stacey Montooth will provide background and a virtual tour to explain how a 132-year-old federal policy still devastates 9 million people in 2023.
