Athletics, Assimilation, and Identity at the Carlisle Indian School

This teaching module will utilize primary documents from individuals who attended the Carlisle Indian School to inform a conversation about the role of athletics in the lives of the students and the institution. Using close reading techniques and qualitative approaches, students will inquire into the significance of sports in student/Native identities, the mission of the school, and concepts of masculinity, and the assimilationist mission of the school.

This teaching module includes lesson plans and worksheets for exploring both student files and images related to the topic of athletics, assimilation, and identity at the Carlisle Indian School.