The book explores the origins of formal schooling for Indigenous peoples, including missionary and government-run boarding schools, where Native children were frequently removed from their families, punished for speaking their languages, and forced to adopt Euro-American customs. Reyhner details the devastating social, psychological, and cultural consequences of these policies, situating them within broader patterns of U.S. expansion, settler colonialism, and federal Indian policy.
At the same time, Reyhner highlights Native resistance and resilience, documenting efforts by Indigenous communities to reclaim education as a vehicle for cultural survival. The book examines the rise of tribal schools, bilingual and culturally-based curricula, and the ongoing struggles to integrate Native knowledge systems into modern education while addressing historical injustices.
American Indian Education: A History is notable for combining rigorous historical research with a clear narrative style, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers. Reyhner’s work emphasizes that education in Native communities has always been deeply intertwined with issues of identity, sovereignty, and self-determination. The book challenges readers to understand the past in order to inform contemporary discussions about equity, cultural preservation, and the future of Native education in the United States.