Interview · North Dakota · Demus McDonald · NDNAEU 5
Themes: Language & revitalization, Education & learning, Boarding schools & assimilation, Spirituality & ceremony
Learn About questions
Why did the grandpa compare school to “breaking or training a horse?” How was it similar?
Where is St. Michael’s Boarding School? Is it still open? Who attended it and when?
Why were they not allowed to speak in their Native language?
Why was learning English so important?
Why was prayer an important part of the boarding school experience?
Why were physical punishments used with the students?
Learn From questions
Have I ever been forced to do something I really didn’t want to do?
When was the first time I remember staying away from home? What was it like? Who did I stay with?
Is school something that has good memories or bad memories or both for me? Why?
Have I ever had to learn about something I had no interest in? What was that experience like and how did I get through it?
Have I ever been in a place where everyone spoke a language different from mine? What was it like?
Has physical punishment ever been a part of my life?
Resource text
NDNAEU Alignment:
Affiliation sources
NDNAEU document credits: Demus McDonald — Spirit Lake (Dakota).