1880 Opening of Chemawa Indian School

On February 25, 1880, Chemawa Indian School opened its doors, becoming one of the longest-operating Native American boarding schools in the United States. Named after the Chemawa band of the Kalapuya people of the Willamette Valley, the school originally served as an elementary institution for Indigenous youth. Over the years, Chemawa evolved into a high school and remains active today, with a mission to provide Native students with academic and cultural education.

A School Born from Federal Assimilation Policies

Chemawa Indian School was established as part of the U.S. government’s assimilation policies, which sought to remove Native children from their communities and immerse them in Euro-American culture. It was one of several Indian boarding schools created during the late 19th century, where students were forced to cut their hair, abandon their traditional languages, and adopt Western customs.

Originally located in Forest Grove, Oregon, Chemawa was later moved to Salem in 1885, where it remains today. The school expanded to serve students from over 70 different tribal nations across the U.S., reflecting the federal policy of placing Native youth in off-reservation boarding schools far from their families.

The Chemawa Indian School Cemetery

A somber reminder of the school’s history is the Chemawa Indian School Cemetery, which holds the graves of at least 200 students who died while attending the school. Many of these children succumbed to diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza, often due to poor living conditions, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care.

Over time, the cemetery has become a site of remembrance and reflection. Though records of those buried there are incomplete, tribal families and researchers continue efforts to identify and honor the students who never returned home. In recent years, Native communities have pushed for increased recognition of these lost children, advocating for the preservation and protection of the burial site.

Conclusion

The legacy of Chemawa Indian School cannot be separated from the broader history of Native American education and federal assimilation policies. While the school has changed significantly since its founding, its past still lingers in the stories of those who attended and the silent headstones in its cemetery. By acknowledging this history and advocating for truth and healing, we take an important step toward honoring the voices of Native students—past, present, and future.