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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Hilary Beaumont

‘We’re still here’: past and present collide at a Native American boarding school

sepia historic photo of building
Sherman Indian high school – previously called the Sherman Institute – in 1903. Photograph: Sepia Times/UIG/Getty Images

With other students’ eyes on her, Wicahpi Medicine’s heart raced, but as she started dancing, she felt proud to embody her Lakota heritage. The beads on her jingle dress swished and her long braids bounced as she moved quickly and lightly in her moccasins.

“People think that we’re extinct – they think we don’t really exist anymore,” said the 17-year-old student, who goes by Kimmi. Dancing at Sherman Indian high school cultural week, she said she was showing “we are still here”.

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