The Stark Reality of Native American Treatment in the 1950s

In the mid-20th century, the treatment of Native Americans in the United States was fraught with systemic injustices and cultural erasure. One haunting example of this is a 1952 letterApril 18, 1952 letter. This letter provides a chilling glimpse into the commodification of Native children, illustrating the harsh realities faced by Indigenous communities.

The 1952 Letter from Tekakwitha Indian Mission

The April 18, 1952 letter was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Seely. It expresses gratitude for their $10 donation and offers a Native child in return. The transactional nature of the letter is deeply unsettling, reducing the child to an object of exchange. It states, "You may have him any time you desire," reflecting a blatant disregard for the child's humanity and wellbeing. This letter is a stark reminder of how Native children were treated as commodities, stripping them of their rights and identities.

Historical Context

In the 1950s, policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society were pervasive. Native children were often removed from their families and placed in boarding schools or missions. These institutions sought to erase Native cultures and languages, enforcing a Euro-American way of life. The Tekakwitha letter is emblematic of these broader policies of forced assimilation and cultural genocide.

Broader Implications

This letter highlights the systemic issues and cultural attitudes of the era towards Native Americans. It underscores the importance of acknowledging and understanding these dark chapters of history to ensure that such injustices are not repeated. By examining artifacts like this letter, we can gain a deeper insight into the experiences of Native communities and the long-lasting impacts of these oppressive practices.

Therefore, this letter from 1952, written by the Tekakwitha Indian Mission, is a poignant reminder of the commodification and dehumanization of Native American children. It serves as a crucial piece of historical evidence, shedding light on the systemic injustices faced by Native communities in the United States. Understanding and acknowledging this history is vital for fostering a more inclusive and just society.

LetterPhoto byDaniel Isaac Seely

The boy that Malcolm and Suzanne Seely wound up adopting was 71 years old as of March 2018 and is the one who shared this letter. Dennis Isaac Seely told us in a phone interview that he was an infant in 1946 when he was forcibly taken from his mother, a Dakota Sioux woman living on the Lake Traverse Reservation in Sisseton, close to the North Dakota-Minnesota border.

I am part Cherokee from Oklahoma and Arkansas. Historically, the Cherokee people were forcibly relocated to what is now Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. There are still descendants in Arkansas from when they passed through and temporarily settled in during the relocation. That's why I know our tribe has had its own issues, too.

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