Personal Belongings

 The discovery of combs and toothbrushes marked with students' names illustrates one of the subtle changes of identity. A school policy was to develop an identity in each pupil that they could be self-reliant individuals; this distinctly contrasted the Native importance attached to kinship and community obligations learned at home.

Education in dental hygiene and the dangers of transmitting germs encouraged pupils to clearly mark their own toothbrushes. Toothbrushes recovered from the dump were either boldly marked in ink or names were lightly engraved or scratched into the item. These barely visible markings are a subtle reflection of the acquisition of the lesson of individual ownership while more apparent marks were intended to signal ownership in a public context. Both kinds of markings attest to the varying application of the notion of individuality.

A possible indication of defining oneself in traditional ways was reflected in a few of the markings on these personal items. Rather than using the "American" name to mark their comb or toothbrush, some pupils choose to mark items with dates or a simple line. In marking items this way, the pupil may have intended to guard their name, because the traditional view among many southwestern cultures of one's name is that it is personal and secret and not to be told. One who knows your name is said to have power over you.

Clothing Ceramics Maker's Marks A Steam Whistle Traditions Brought from Home Personal Belongings Indian School Home