ABSTRACT
The American Revolution brought about radical changes in the relationship of the Indians with the white government. The establishment of the "dependent nation" concept was basically the dawn of the paternalistic relationship of the federal government toward the Indian. During the treaty period, the federal government basically had relatively little to do of a direct nature with Indian education, even though education was clearly seen as part of its assumed trust responsibility toward the Indian. The so-called five civilized tribes were notably active in rapidly adopting white social institutions, in particular the Cherokee and Choctaw nations. The government education-assimilation policy involved no change in curriculum and continued to consider only the lowest level of vocational training, certainly not higher education. This assimilation policy was two-pronged, land and education. The importance of colleges and universities as transmitters and repositories of culture should have struck a chord with those who believed Native Americans should be assimilated into the larger culture.
