There is a very good article in the Utah State magazine Spring 2017 written by John DeVilbiss about a couple who lived the Indian Placement life. This program provided an education to Native American children by placing them in the homes of church members where opportunities may be better than on the reservation. For a period of time, the church sponsored this program and many people started their education this way. In this case, the couple Teresa and Curtis Frazier left the reservation, living with their placement families. As a result they struggle with their native language. It also put them between two worlds, which can be a hard place to be. However they have both been able to find a balance, and now work in providing educational opportunities to others. However, those others do not have to leave their homes, as they work in Blanding, Utah for the Utah State extension.
Curtis mentions that he felt the church accomplished their goal of providing opportunities that were not available. The children were well-fed and clothed. Many thrived better in this type of environment, than at the Indian boarding schools available. However the program created a separation between the children and their families with sometimes negative consequences. In this case there was a positive result. In their case they are able to love both families.
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