The Library of Congress
Indian Boarding Schools: Civilizing the Native Spirit
What Are Primary Sources?
Primary Sources Guide		 Sioux boys of the first class entering Carlisle

Historians use both primary and secondary sources to learn more about the past. A primary source is an original document, image, artifact or writing that is recorded at the time of an event. Secondary sources are created by someone who was not present when the event took place or someone who was removed by time from the event.

Some examples of primary sources: Some examples of secondary sources:
  • Photographs
  • Interview
  • Letters
  • Art
  • Diaries
  • Journals
  • Newspapers
  • Drawings
  • Textbooks
  • Encyclopedias
  • Biographies

Directions: Examine the primary sources below as clues to how people connected with the American Indian boarding schools lived.

(Click on the image for a larger version of the primary source.)

Indian Training School boys activities, at Chemawa near Salem, Oregon Sandpaintings, Alhkidokihi - Navaho
Indian Training School boys activities, at Chemawa near Salem, Oregon, in engraving made 1887 Sandpaintings
Alhkidokihi - Navaho
Jim Thorpe Indian day school
Jim Thorpe Indian day school / Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Educating the Indians: a female pupil of the Government School at Carlisle visits her home at Pine Ridge Agency graphic for sound recording
Educating the Indians : a female pupil of the Government School at Carlisle visits her home at Pine Ridge Agency.
The Bat Song  (Chish-hi-you-bung-gay)
sung by Lura May Jumper, an 8-year-old Seminole girl

This lesson adapted from Discovering American Memory, a Learning Page workshop for educators.

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Last updated 10/01/2002