Catholic Sisters, Narratives of Authority, and the Native American Boarding Schools, 1847-1918

Catholic Sisters, Narratives of Authority, and the Native American Boarding Schools, 1847-1918 brings to light a largely unknown of history of the Catholic Native American Boarding Schools run by Catholic Sisters. Elisabeth C. Davis examines four schools, the first one established by Catholic women in the United States in 1847 and the last ending in 1918. Using previously unexplored archival material, Davis examines how Catholic Sisters established authority over their students and the local indigenous communities. In doing so, Davis sheds new light on the role of women during the eras of American expansion, settler imperialism, and the boarding school era.

Elisabeth C. Davis is assistant professor of history at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.