Elder Helen Sharlow recounts boarding-school abuse, to resume teaching Kootenai language

Helen Sharlow, an 82-year-old Kootenai elder and former language teacher, told students at Twigo River School that she endured physical punishment and restrictions on speaking her language while attending a boarding school at St. Ignatius and that she will resume teaching Kootenai language classes locally on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The interview, conducted by a student who identified himself as Terry, was part of a school project. Sharlow described being hit with rulers and straps and said students were not allowed to speak their language at the boarding school: "They used to slap us around and everything else…Couldn't even talk our language over there," she said.

Sharlow said she later taught Kootenai classes at Salish Kootenai College and at Two Eagle River School and had recently finished classes in another community. She told the students, "Monday I'm gonna start teaching down here again," adding her planned class times are "about from 6 to 07:30 on Monday and Wednesday." She said organizers already put some students on a list for the class.

Beyond schooling, Sharlow described cultural topics and concerns. She spoke about traditional dances and the changes she sees now: "It's just a tradition dance. There's no fancy dancing…they never used to have any," and she said women historically sang behind drummers, adding, "I think that's crazy" that women are being discouraged from drumming today and that "you gotta have women's voice in the crowd."

Sharlow gave personal and community context during the conversation: she said she has about 28 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, that she has lived around Elmo for many years and that she traveled to Alaska with other tribal members, where she visited Ketchikan and saw totem poles and whales. She also recalled attending schools in Kalispell and Polson after the St. Ignatius experience and described better treatment at some later schools.

Students asked Sharlow about language transmission and whether tribes are losing their language. She replied plainly, "Yes they are. They are losing their language." The planned evening classes are intended to help address that loss.

Sharlow also discussed local changes she has observed, such as paved roads and new street signs, and reflected on powwows, stick-game tournaments and how community gatherings have shifted over time.

In the interview, Sharlow recounted many memories and teachings without proposing formal policy or requests of a government body. The statements are personal recollections and plans for community language classes rather than a formal program announcement or institutional action.