Comments on: Mt. Pleasant’s Unpleasant School

By: Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial School/Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities | theshooz

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:24:00 +0000

[...] conflicts with several other sources that state that many families felt that their children were forced to attend the school. [...]

By: Justyce Faylor

Justyce Faylor — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:27:15 +0000

I am 17 years old, i attend the Mt.Pleasant Public High School, and i am sure not many of those who read this will actually listen to what i have to say. I am a Caucasian female, but my 11 year old sister is Native American. i grew up with her dad and my mom being together my whole life, his family is our family. The way the students at the Mt.Pleasant Boarding School were treated was and is not right at all. I, as a Mt.pleasant student would love to find out more about this school, why they even opend it, and hy they thought the way they treated them was right. I would also love to tour the buildings, not to mess with anything, but to simply get a look at were they lived and what it all looks like.

sincerly,
Justyce Faylor

By: docgary1956

docgary1956 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:07:34 +0000

I have a video on Mt Pleasant boarding schools..the site where I got it is now down, but it is easily obtainable. the testimony is quite shocking. similar on line free info can be found at http://www.whitebison.org

By: Merle Stone

Merle Stone — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:04:21 +0000

My father went to this school for a few years, and was in the last class to go through it, in 1933 (I think). From there, he went on to graduate from high school at Hesperia High School. Though his memories of the place are mostly positive, he does acknowledge that there was a certain level of unpleasantness there as well.

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:35:49 +0000

I am looking for more information about the Mt Pleasant school. Currently, I’m writing and young adults novel about a girl who was sent to this school. I feel it’s an important history lesson to understand since there were many Indian children who were stripped of their cultural heritage by programs like this. If anyone has any information at all I would greatly appreciate it. I’m also interested in the Indian Adoption Program. I’m part Indian, was adopted as a baby and lived in northern Michigan and attended CMU and lived in Mt Pleasant for about six years. You can write me at kim.offenburger@attn.net

By: stacey

stacey — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:17:59 +0000

linda hudhak if u get back on here i might have away for u to find out more info

By: linda hudak

linda hudak — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:38:47 +0000

I would like inform on my grandmother Ida Johnson she went to this school and pic if any it would be helpful thank you

By: Hunt for History… « The Search for an Audience…

Hunt for History… « The Search for an Audience… — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:16:38 +0000

[...] history as other Native American Boarding Schools at the time. (Check out this site about “Mount Pleasant’s Unpleasant School”). Â This site would also have significance for much of the population of Mount Pleasant in [...]

By: Frank Clary

Frank Clary — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:11:17 +0000

My Grandfather attended this boarding school and i wanted to know if there was a way that i could get more information about the school? Or maybe even a list of students ? Pictures ?

Thanks
Frank C

By: george baker

george baker — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:47:36 +0000

can anyone tell me where i can find student lists or names of students at the mt un-pleasant ind. school???? My Uncle was there. contact me at
themonk1951@aol.com

use subject: mt pleasant school list
thanks
george

By: Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:48:45 +0000

My name is Jackie Smith, I’m a student at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant and have been trying to get a hold of some of those of you who have spoke of your parents’ experiences at this school.
I am GREATLY interested in carrying the conversations over the phone whenever you have the time.
The National Archives in Chicago hold records of it that appear only available to family members (not quite sure) so YOU are the only ones who can account the experiences for some of us. Regardless if I’m wrong on that point. I’d still like to talk to you.
I’m potentially putting research into this history for CMU’s paper Central Michigan Life.

You can reach me at 734-637-6912 or Jackie20Smith@gmail.com

I truly hope to hear from you.

By: Doreen Albaugh

Doreen Albaugh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:37:11 +0000

I currently work at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy. Recently I have had the oppertunity to learn the ojibway language(minumal of course). In doing so i want to know more. I am writting a paper on how cultrual oppression has effected how Natives view education. I would love some insight on this subject. Maybe experiences of students at the Mt. Pleasant indian school. And how they feel about our school(Sag. Chip. Academy) now.

By: Mary H

Mary H — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:41:44 +0000

I’ve read 2 of the ‘transcripts’ of the school’s students and was amazed to see no grades, but lots of interesting notes – abt. 21 pgs each going into adulthood. From what I gather, they got good medical care, could leave – and the girls were trained to be receptionists at doctor’s offices. These records are available from National Archives in Chicago for relatives and a fee.

By: CHUCK POPE

CHUCK POPE — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:37:59 +0000

MY NAME IS CHUCK POPE, AS A NATIVE AMERICAN MYSELF I WOULD LIKR TO LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT THE MT PLEASANT INDIAN INDUSRTIAL SCHOOL. I FIND IT HARD TO FIND A LITTLE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE, ALOT OF THINGS I FIND HAVE THE SAME INFORMATION AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME MORE DETAIL SO IM ABLE TO TEACH THE YOUTH AND ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, SO PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION ME LET ME KNOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH

By: Ed McDaniel

Ed McDaniel — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:12:53 +0000

I too live in Mt. Pleasant and though i have no real reasoning, i would like to share my concern for the cause. I am a caucasian male, however, in the last year i have become quite interested in the wisdom, majesty, and humbleness of many past Native Americans. I am attempting to recover documentation that could help me map out my ansestry, so that i may generate a ruff estimate of my native heritage. It is scenarios such as this that complicate efforts of people like myself. If there is any way that i could support the preservation of these native buildings and their truthful history i would be much abliged. sincerely Ed McDaniel Oasis High school Mt Pleasant MI bitchesnblunts69@yahoo.com

By: Wally Marcou

Wally Marcou — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:57:33 +0000

I’m trying to find out if someone would know how I could get a list of the names of the female students that went to this school abt. 1900 c. What I do know about her is very skerchy at best. I know that her name was Rose or Rosie Bell(e) and she worked at a neighbors farm during the summer months. The family finally adopted my G.Mother and from what I understand the records were destroyed. The name of the family was “Maggo” If anyone has any information about her or can help me in anyway I would be in your debt. Please e-mail me at my address with Rose Belle in the subject line.
Thank You!!

By: Amber Martin

Amber Martin — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:14:54 +0000

My name is Amber Martin, and I attend CMU in Mount Pleasant. I am currently researching the history of the old Indian Boarding School for an article in an online magazine, and I wish to get personal testimonies from either people who attended the school, or their direct relatives. Please, if anyone knows anything, let me know. Email me with any questions, comments, or testimonies that you may have at marti7am@cmich.edu . Thank you so much for all of your help!

By: Karyn Kromer

Karyn Kromer — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:31:44 +0000

To anyone interested. I am currently attempting to preserve the Native history of these buildings. I am eager to obtain first hand accounts of those who attended this school in hopes to complete my research. I feel it is crucial to preserve the history of the Native people in full truth. It is my feeling that if these buildings are destroyed, this will only be yet another part of Native history that will be swept under rug. I am tired of the constant preservation and the idealistic views of mainstream White historians who neglect to include accurate accounts of Native history within our Country. I am seeking grants and funding that would allow these buildings to stand and allow those who visit to become aware of their historical importance in everyones history. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to be included in this study. kromerk@student.gvsu.edu

By: Christie Guernsey

Christie Guernsey — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:01:36 +0000

I work at the Mt. Pleasant Center, which used to be the indian school. I know very little about the history of this place and would like to. I have never saw inside the old buildings and would love to walk through them. I wonder thugh how you got in them since they are locked. Email me back.
Christie Guernsey

By: marylin dorsey

marylin dorsey — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:44:44 +0000

thanks for writing back! i would love to hear of other former students at this school…your mom sounds like her experience was good. however, my aunt and mom were not well treated and in fact, were beaten at this school. even now, they cannot hardly talk about it. please post here, or email me at mcdmomforpeace@yahoo.com also, they were not offical members of the tribe, as far as i can tell. however, they are Chippewa. how can the tribe not recognize their lives?
thanks, marylin*

By: farlane

farlane — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:02:09 +0000

Marilyn: The article appeared in Michigan History Magazine and it’s the sum total of my knowledge of the school!

Art: I think that your comment demonstrates a neat thing about the web. It allows folks with divergent viewpoints of the same thing to share them. Thank you for posting your mother’s experiences.

By: Art

Art — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:04:26 +0000

My mother was a student at Mt. Pleasant Indian School around 1930. She remembered it as a place where, among other things, she could get three meals a day, medical and dental care, a safe place to sleep, none of which was available at her home. Another of the children from her home village was still there in 1933 when the school closed, and she did not want to leave, she told me so a few years ago. The National Archives in Chicago has a collection of records and correspondence to & from families and students at the school. I have personally read some of the letters from Indian children expressing their eagerness to go to Mt. Pleasant. Some of the letters describe the prejudice and discrimination these children received at their local schools (paid for by their parent’s tax dollars). Yes, some of the students ran away from the school. The National Archives has a document describing what happened to two boys who were completing their course of study at Mt. Pleasant. They wanted to be admitted to another school out west where they could have vocational training. They were refused admission due to budget cuts. These two boys ran away from Mt. Pleasant, got on a train going west, and presented themselves at the other school, where they were admitted after all. Yes, those Indian schools were really terrible. The description posted here is very one-sided, very politically correct.

By: marylin dorsey

marylin dorsey — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:17:12 +0000

my mom says she was a student at this school…………
i hate how she lived…..understand how she is now, can you give me more info?
thanks!
marylin*