#USA #Carlisle #Dickinson College #Jim Thorpe Center #Carlisle Indian School

Dickinson College Launches the Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples

In a remarkable move toward healing and reconciliation, Dickinson College has announced the establishment of the Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples near the site of the historic Carlisle Indian Industrial School (CIIS). This initiative was made possible by a generous $20 million donation from alumnus and philanthropist Samuel G. Rose. The aim is to confront the painful legacy of Indian boarding schools, which were historically used to assimilate Native American children and erase their cultural identities.

The new center, which is poised to become a beacon of cultural affirmation and resilience, is named after Jim Thorpe, a legendary athlete and member of the Sac and Fox and Potawatomi tribes. Thorpe is celebrated not only for his outstanding sports achievements, including Olympic gold medals and professional careers in football and baseball, but also for his tireless advocacy for Native American rights and recognition.

Amanda Cheromiah, the Executive Director of the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples, stated that the new space will serve as a testament to the power and vitality of Native cultures, countering the historical attempts to erase their identities. Cheromiah, who has a personal connection to the CIIS — as all six of her grandparents attended the institution — emphasized the importance of the center as a space for healing and growth, standing just a few miles from where the CIIS operated from 1879 to 1918.

The Jim Thorpe Center will feature the Samuel G. Rose '58 Art Gallery, dedicated to showcasing Indigenous art. This gallery represents the largest investment ever made by Dickinson College in its art program, which aims to enrich the college’s cultural offerings and academic curriculum. The center's design is spearheaded by Richard Olaya (AIA) from O Z Collaborative and Johnpaul Jones (FAIA) from Jones + Jones, who have backgrounds that align with the mission of honoring and promoting Indigenous peoples' stories and cultures.

The launch of the center aligns with Dickinson's commitment to confronting its historical involvement with the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and complements its extensive digital archive of CIIS-related resources. This effort is further supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation which facilitated the creation of the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples in 2023.

In light of the enduring challenges that Native communities face, the Jim Thorpe Center signifies hope — a symbol of recovery and empowerment for Native populations. This initiative is not just about acknowledging the past but also about forging a path forward that celebrates Native American heritage, culture, and contributions.

As one of Dickinson's most significant benefactors, Rose has donated over $100 million to the college, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting education and the arts. Through the establishment of the Jim Thorpe Center, Dickinson College takes a bold step toward acknowledging the historical injustices faced by Native peoples while simultaneously fostering a vibrant future filled with cultural pride and academic inquiry.

The Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples is expected to serve as a vital resource not only for the Dickinson community but also for scholars, artists, and the broader public interested in Native American issues and contributions.

This initiative stands as a commitment to reconciliation, cultural revival, and the celebration of Indigenous identities, making it a significant historical milestone for Dickinson College and Native communities alike.