The document summarizes the history and purpose of Native American boarding schools in the United States. It explains that after the Civil War, many Americans believed Indians could become citizens if they abandoned their traditional ways. The first boarding school, the Carlisle Indian School, was opened with the goal of "civilizing" Indians by forcing them to speak English, practice Christianity, and adopt white cultural norms. Students often faced harsh punishments for speaking their native languages or practicing their own cultures. The boarding schools aimed to fully assimilate Native American children into white society.