with intentions considered pure and enlightened, the federal government forced thousands of Indian children to assimilate and acculturate to white norms and expectations. Kill the Indian, save the man. Some resisted, many suffered, some thrived, most learned the nuances of how to survive while maintaining their identity as Native Americans. Jim Thorpe became a symbol for almost all of that. At times he resisted. At times he suffered. At times he thrived. And he survived.
