The Carlisle Indian Industrial School (CIIS) operated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. from 1879 to 1918. During that time, somewhere between 8,000 to 12,000 students attended this first non-reservation, co-educational, government funded boarding school for Native Americans.  Records relating to the school are housed in the National Archives (NARA Record Group 75, File Number 1327) and some documents are also held in the Cumberland County Historical Society (CCHS), Carlisle PA.  Pupils from at least 85 different Native American Nations attended Carlisle (for listing see  breakdown by nation ).  The following primary source information pertains only to pupils listed from the Wampanoag Nation, collectively identified by the Carlisle documents as "Mashpee."  The Wampanoag students listed here come from several different bands of Wampanog, including Aquinnah, Assonet, and Mashpee.

The information we have relied upon was generated in the 1880's -1920's and some of it may be inaccurate (i.e.: birthdates, ages, blood quantum, and spelling of names).  We have chosen to upload it as it was recorded at the time. Where possible we have included references to any known photographs.  While we are aware that some of this information deals with personal or family history, with the recent opening of the National Archive records under the 75 year Privacy Rule, we thought it important to make them available.  Although this information is not publicly linked it is available for those who know the URL.  Similar information exists for a number of other Nations, as well as individuals.

In our efforts to include all the information that the BIA deemed relevant to every record and a student's eligibility for admission to it's non-reservation schools, we include "blood quantum" as recorded.  It should be remembered that at the time these determinations were made, blood quantum was strictly a government criteria and not necessarily the criteria of the nation.  However, there was some room for strategic choices on the part of native Americans to manipulate their blood quantum to better tailor themselves to Carlisle admission requirements. (i.e., there are a number of cases of students whose initial enrollment gives full blood and whose re-enrollments state fractions).

These brief biographies were compiled by Genevieve Bell and Barbara Landis. Special thanks for Marge Bruchac for her sage advice in editing this description. We welcome any additions, queries or comments and these can be sent us at  blandis@epix.net.

(KEY: * = NARA records; ** = CCHS)

ALSO - check the Pokanot page for more possible names.