"Make It Yourself"

by Sarah A. Gordon

Home Sewing, Gender, and Culture, 1890–1930

Lac du Flambeau U.S. Government School for Indian Children

Lac du Flambeau U.S. Government School for Indian Children

Schools run by the Office of Indian Affairs have been severely criticized for their attempts to forcibly “Americanize” Native American students. This photograph from 1895 shows students in Western dress learning to sew more of the same.

Wisconsin Historical Society.