Losing Everything at Indian Boarding School: Bessie Smith (Dzabahe)
One afternoon, her clothes, hair, language, name, and even her parents were taken from her. In this episode, Navajo woman Bessie Smith, an Indian Boarding School survivor, shares her story of losing everything and then reclaiming the traditions she learned as a child to find healing.
One afternoon, her clothes, hair, language, name, and even her parents were taken from her. In this episode, Navajo woman Bessie Smith, who survived the Indian Boarding Schools, shares her story of losing everything and then reclaiming the traditions she learned as a child to find healing.
Join us in this episode as we go to Bessie's home in Denver, Colorado, and hear about the day her parents were forced to hand her over to the U.S. Government. Bessie shares with breathtaking detail, remembering the gravity of all she lost. Listen to the full episode for ways you can learn more, and take action to first listen and feel, and then to heal, together.
Guest Bio
Bessie Smith (Dzabahe) was born around January 12th, 1942 and raised on the Diné reservation, halfway between Leupp and Tuba City, Arizona. She was born into Hashkáán Hadzohí (yucca fruit plant) clan, born for Bįįhbitodní clan (deer water), and paternal grandfather of Kiyáání (tower house people) clan, and maternal grandfather ofTłeziłaní (manygoats) clan. She was raised in a traditional Diné way of life. Bessie has been designing and making jewelry for over 25 years. She currently works on a part time basis as a consultant to agencies who are in need of Navajo interpretation services throughout the State of Colorado.
Bessie’s Jewelry Website:
https://www.dzabahe.com/
Links for things shared in the episode:
The Denver Post article referenced by Amanda:
https://www.denverpost.com/2023/10/03/native-american-boarding-schools-graves-fort-lewis-grand-junction/
Supreme Court preserves law that aims to keep Native American children with tribal families: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-native-american-children-adoption-8eee3db1e97cee84a7fdcd98d43df795#tbl-em-lnwebu7xuuio4ldv5e
Want to Learn More?
CPR News Article: Legacy Of Indigenous Boarding Schools In Colorado Includes Unmarked Graves And Generational Scars
https://www.cpr.org/2021/08/02/indigenous-boarding-schools-colorado-unmarked-graves-generational-scars/
9 News interview with Bessie Smith: Federal Indian Boarding School survivor shares the abuse she endured, and how her jewelry business helps her heal:
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/next/federal-indian-boarding-school-survivor-abuse-jewelry-business-heal-denver-colorado/73-91ebf2d1-051f-413d-8977-f97f8ed5c199
New York Times article: Researchers Identify Dozens of Native Students Who Died at Nebraska School:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/17/us/native-american-boarding-school-deaths-nebraska.html
New York Times article: ‘WAR AGAINST THE CHILDREN’ - The Native American boarding school system — a decades-long effort to assimilate Indigenous people before they ever reached adulthood — robbed children of their culture, family bonds and sometimes their lives:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/30/us/native-american-boarding-schools.html
Want to Take Action?
Land Back Movement: https://landback.org/
Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels: https://climatenetwork.org/can-event/global-fight-to-end-fossil-fuels/
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