Presbyterian Historical Society Processes Dwight Indian Training School and American Indian Institute Records

The Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) has processed two archival collections related to the Dwight Indian Training School and the American Indian Institute, reflecting ongoing efforts to address historical injustices against Native Americans. These collections, RG 553 (Dwight Indian Training School Records) and RG 555 (American Indian Institute Records), were selected for processing based on the work of the PHS’s Reparative Description Committee and collaborations with local congregations. The digitization of materials from the Dwight Mission Board, facilitated by First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, enabled a more thorough examination of these records.

The Dwight Indian Training School, originally established in 1820 by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) as the Dwight Mission, aimed to convert and assimilate the Cherokee people. The mission school first opened in 1822, initially serving a small number of Cherokee students. It was later reestablished in Indian Territory, reflecting the evolving mission of the school.

The processing of these records has revealed the complex history of these institutions, which were part of a broader pattern of cultural and educational efforts by Protestant denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The PHS’s work aligns with the Native American Coordinating Council and former PC(USA) Stated Clerk Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II’s Call to Action, which calls for acknowledgment of past failures by the U.S. and Protestant denominations in upholding Native American rights and traditions.

The discovery that the 1987 accession included records from two distinct institutions—Dwight Indian Training School and the American Indian Institute—led to the decision to process them as separate collections. This distinction allows for a more accurate understanding of each institution’s role and impact.

These archival efforts underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in historical records, particularly those involving marginalized communities. By making these records accessible, the PHS contributes to a more informed dialogue about the past and its ongoing implications.

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