"Kill the Indian, Save the Man"
~ Captain Pratt of the Carlisle Indian School - 1879
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded by Captain Richard Henry Pratt in 1879, was a federally-funded boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The school aimed to assimilate Native American children into American culture by stripping them of their indigenous identities and traditions. The institution's motto, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," encapsulated its approach. Students were subjected to a strict regimen to eradicate their native languages, customs, and spirituality and replace them with Western education, Christianity, and vocational training.
The curriculum at Carlisle emphasized English language instruction, vocational skills, and domestic training, believing that these skills would equip Native American students for success in mainstream society. The school aimed to transform Native American children into "civilized" citizens who could assimilate into American society. However, the methods employed were often coercive and oppressive, with strict discipline, cultural suppression, and the prohibition of native practices. Students were given new names, forced to wear Euro-American clothing, and discouraged from speaking their native languages or practicing cultural traditions.
The legacy of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School is controversial and deeply intertwined with the history of Native American assimilation policies in the United States. While some proponents argue that the school provided educational opportunities for Native American children who might otherwise have had limited access to schooling, critics point to the loss of cultural identity, trauma, and student abuse. The school closed in 1918, but its impact on Native American communities and the ongoing debates surrounding assimilation and cultural preservation continue to resonate.
THUNDER FALLS
THE EDUCATION OF LEOPOLD RED WOLF - BOOK 1
Thunder Falls chronicles the transformation of Leopold Wolf from a naive young man into an outspoken advocate for Native American rights during the late 1800s.
Leo and his father, Isaac, work for the Carlisle Indian School, an institution governed by the motto “kill the Indian, save the man” and notorious for its harshness, Leo witnesses the abuse, neglect, and victimization of children under the institution’s care and resolves to help them gain the respect their culture deserves.
Leo’s quest takes him to Lakota territory, where elder and holy man Black Elk has a vision of Leo recovering the tribe’s Sacred Pipe, stolen years ago. Leo’s journey into—and under—the Black Hills reveals extraordinary phenomena about the Lakota and himself. In the caverns of the Black Hills, Leo encounters the red wolf, Thunder Falls, and the Soul Tree, all of which guide him toward his destiny. While pursuing the eternal love of Sarah Cameron—niece of a senator notorious for his enmity against the Lakota—and fighting for Native American rights, Leo crosses the country with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and ultimately risks his life for the people he has come to care for.
AVAILABLE IN: EBOOK, PAPERBACK & AUDIBLE
For me, the music I produce is a gift channeled from other beautiful dimensions and aspects of myself. I have often felt strange as if I don't belong on this planet, so I think the music is a soothing and exciting way to connect both to my multidimensional aspects that feel familiar while rooting the energies into something tangible here on Earth – a recorded and replayable song.
I'm the first recipient of the gift – from creating it in a flow-state, where I sit down with my keyboard and laptop, and in an hour, I have 90% of brand-new sound journey, flavor, and vibration. A song! It might be sweet, gentle, epic, intense, humorous... or a new combination. Then, I grab my microphone and sing – and whatever comes out of my mouth is the message, which can move me to tears, laughter, or simply heartful excitement. It's a natural process for me and feels like a relationship with the universe and creation.
I know I have much to learn regarding production value, especially with vocals and my voice, as I often struggle to sing on key. But it's certainly helping me open my throat more and find my truth in expression.
I envision this music, which moves me deeply – reaching more people, turning into live events where we experience the magnitude of connection, magic, and awakening together. I recently held my fourth live event here in Asheville; it was powerful and fun! My passion, whether it's music or any of my expressions, is in letting love, magic, play, and joy enter more fully into our world for a new paradigm we can't imagine—a place we all genuinely want to live. My heart knows that this is not only possible but well underway.
You can listen to more of my officially released music on Spotify or connect with me more personally on my Patreon, where I share works in progress and glimpses into my song-making process.
~ Sammy Vanek
CHECK OUT THE TITLE TRACK HERE
NOVELS BY NEIL PERRY GORDON
Neil Perry Gordon is a highly regarded and prolific novelist acclaimed for his historical and metaphysical fiction. With eleven novels and a novella to his name, his latest work, "Between Two Gates – A Young Man's Quest Towards Birth," showcases his literary prowess. Gordon's writing has garnered commendation from esteemed publications like Kirkus, Midwest Book Review, and Book Viral. At the same time, his readers on platforms such as Amazon and Goodreads have praised his works with countless positive reviews.
Neil's education at the Green Meadow Waldorf School significantly shaped his passion for writing. There, he imbibed the belief that music, dance, theater, writing, literature, legends, and myths were not mere subjects to be studied but experiences to be embraced and absorbed.
In terms of his writing process, Neil adopts an organic approach. Rather than relying on a detailed outline, he begins with a premise for his characters and allows the story to unfold naturally. This method gives rise to unforeseen twists and captivating outcomes that have captivated readers. His novels balance character development and exhilarating action, ensuring a dynamic pace that engenders readers.
Neil Perry Gordon's dedication to his craft and ability to craft engaging narratives have firmly established him as an accomplished historical and metaphysical fiction author. With each new novel, he continues enthralling readers with his imaginative storytelling and insightful explorations of the human experience.