Boarding Schools, Klamath River History, & Elder Wisdom | Drum Circle News
In this 52-minute interview, I sit down with Mel Brooks, an elder in the Talowa Dee-ni’ Nation, born in Requa at the mouth of the Klamath River. Mel shares his personal experiences growing up in Indian boarding schools, institutions where the U.S. government forced assimilation on Native children, stripping away their cultural heritage. This painful chapter in history contributed to the loss of traditional knowledge and culture among many Indigenous people.
We discuss what life was like for the Klamath River natives before colonization, and how the Gold Rush settlers, farmers, and loggers violently seized their lands, murdering native men by the hundreds. Mel, from a prominent family of headmen in Requa, shares insight into what it means to be a headman and the responsibilities that come with it. We end the conversation with some timeless elder wisdom that Mel graciously imparts.
Key Topics:
Mel Brooks’ experience in Indian boarding schools
Forced assimilation and cultural loss Life for Klamath River natives before and after colonization
Gold Rush settlers and the violent seizure of native lands
The role of a headman in the Talowa Dee-ni’ Nation
Elder wisdom shared by Mel Brooks
Comments
Latest news
@jeannedomek4877
May 30, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Love th his elder that says, "Never stop learning ". I'm Native, 71, and continue to take college classes. My husband was Assiniboine, and a PhD. Learning keeps you from aging. Helps you to communicate with others. I work in Home health and meet people from different cultures. These folks are always looking to have conversations, they are lonely and love being with someone who can talk about anything. My learning has helped them. Thank you for this channel and thank you for this elder.