Harbor History Talk: System of Assimilation: The Creation of Indian Boarding Schools

Join Harbor Springs Historical Society and Guest Speaker, Historian – Eric Hemenway, for a Harbor History Talk: System of Assimilation.

Indian boarding schools were a federal system to “civilize” native children. Over 400 schools were constructed across the United States, with one in Harbor Springs – the Holy Childhood of Jesus Indian School. This talk will look at the forces that led to the creation of this federal system and how it relates to the Odawa of Waganakising.

This presentation, with historian Eric Hemenway, will take place at 5:30 pm at the Harbor Springs History Museum. We recommend guests arrive early to explore the museum, check in with staff and grab some coffee and baked goods before getting seats for the talk.

Eric Hemenway is an Anishnaabe/Odawa from Cross Village, Michigan, and is the Director of Repatriation, Archives, and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Eric oversees the management, collecting, and preservation of historic documents and materials for the tribe. Hemenway currently sits on boards for the Michigan Historical Commission, Central Michigan University Clarke Library, and the Little Traverse Conservancy.