Chemawa Oregon Indian School Inspection Drill 1909 Real Photo Postcard

Chemawa Indian School, established in 1880 near Salem, Oregon, was one of the earliest and longest-operating off-reservation federal Indian boarding schools in the United States. The Inspection Drill depicted on this postcard reflects the rigid, military-style discipline and training that characterized such institutions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period evident from the uniforms and architecture. These drills were an integral part of the daily routine, designed to instill order, punctuality, and conformity among Native American students.