Alaska Native Students Identified from Carlisle School
Educator Naomi Leask traced nearly 30 children from Metlakatla who attended the government-funded boarding school.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Native American
Educator Naomi Leask has identified between 27 and 28 students from Metlakatla who were sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This research coincides with the ongoing repatriation of nearly 30 Alaska Native children to their homelands.
Why it matters
Research into the history of residential schools helps foster empathy and understanding of generational trauma among Alaska Native youth. These efforts are part of a broader push to facilitate healing for survivors through cultural practices.
Nearly 30 Alaska Native children are currently being repatriated to their home communities. Research indicates that 27 or 28 individuals from Metlakatla attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
The players
Naomi Leask
Naomi Leask is an educator based in Juneau who uses genealogical research to document the history of Alaska Native children at residential schools.
Carlisle Indian Industrial School
Carlisle Indian Industrial School was a U.S.-funded boarding school that systematically prohibited the expression of Indigenous languages and cultures.
The details
Naomi Leask utilizes the National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive and genealogical databases to uncover the histories of those who attended these institutions. The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, funded by the United States, was known for enforcing policies that prohibited Indigenous traditions, languages, and cultures.
Timeline
October 9, 2026, marks the publication date of this report.
Culture Shift
The push to identify students and repatriate remains marks a significant shift toward transparency regarding the Indian Boarding School Policy. This effort follows a historical pattern of state-sponsored assimilation that is now being countered by community-led restorative research.
Residents in Juneau and Metlakatla can participate in local support groups designed to assist boarding school survivors and their families. These initiatives provide a tangible space for community members to engage in healing and cultural reclamation.
The takeaway
Understanding the history of residential schools is a critical step in addressing the generational trauma affecting Indigenous communities today. By using digital archives and genealogy, individuals can actively participate in the process of reclaiming their cultural heritage.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing efforts at the Native American section.
