[Three Issues of] The Indian School Journal

Chilocco, Oklahoma: United States Indian Training School, 1931. Very good. 10 1/8” x 6 7/8”. Stapled pictorial wrappers. Pp. 18-28. Publication sequence: Vol. 30, Nos. 26 (Mar 27 1931), 30 (Apr 24 1931), 31 (May 1 1931). Generally very good or better: some faint spotting and light wear to wrappers; two issues with a tiny ding to edge of all leaves; a bit of scattered light spotting and a few small stains.

This is a group of three issues of The Indian School Journal (ISJ), a vehicle that was “Printed by Indians” and “Published in the Interest of Indian Education” by the Chilocco Indian School in Chilocco, Oklahoma.

Chilocco was one of the first five non-reservation boarding schools for Native Americans authorized by the United States government in 1882. Similar to other Indian boarding schools, it emphasized vocational education, with students performing physical and domestic labor, and the assimilation of Native children into “mainstream” American life. Chilocco was known for its highly structured, military-like regime, and students were required to attend Christian religious services once a week.

Though the covers of these journals shared that ISJ was issued monthly, the masthead (and numbering) revealed that it was a weekly publication. Each had a different focus – the first issue here focused on the Academic Department, with features by teachers on “The Development of School Spirit,” “Values to be Derived From the Study of Literature” and “Training Young America for Citizenship.” There was general school news and data, along with a full-page photographic image of “Haworth Hall – The Academic Building at Chilocco” and another of “Campus Views.” The second issue was devoted to the Chilocco Home Economics Department, and included contributions by students on topics such as “Foot Health and Posture,” “Appropriate Clothing,” “Adulteration of Foods” and “The Step-Saving Kitchen.” There were images of the Home Ec Club members and their “practice cottage” as well as internal shots of the foods and clothing “laboratories.” The final issue on offer here covered the Agricultural Department and was composed entirely of student-authored content that concerned crops, horse-breaking, the “Poultry House” and the bane of “Soil Erosion – A National Menace.” There was a great full-page shot of “The Farm Plot Boys” as well as views of the “Egg Plant,”“Beef Barn” and “Action in the Orchard.” Each issue held poems and inspirational quotes, some of which were full-page and printed in color with decorative borders. The journal also utilized varying typeface and intricately designed drop caps, showcasing the skill of the students responsible for its printing.

Three lovely examples of Native students' work and experiences, with great data on the school. ISJ is reasonably well-represented in institutions, though exact holdings are difficult to ascertain. (Inventory #: 8134)