Summary
The documentation of Indian boarding school survivors’ experiences and the efforts to return the remains of children who died at these institutions highlight a painful chapter in American history. As part of a broader reconciliation process, the U.S. government has begun to recognize the traumas inflicted upon Native American communities through the boarding school system, which sought to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children.
In October 2024, President Joe Biden delivered a formal apology for the federal government’s role in the Indian boarding school system, acknowledging it as a “blot on American history” that resulted in the separation of children from their families and communities. This apology coincided with efforts by the Department of the Interior to document the personal narratives of survivors, which serve to preserve their stories and educate the public about this dark legacy. The initiative aims to ensure that the experiences of those affected are not forgotten and to facilitate healing within the communities impacted by this historical trauma.
Survivor Narratives
The Department of the Interior is actively recording the stories of boarding school survivors, acknowledging that many families still bear the scars of this experience. These narratives are intended to be archived in a government repository, providing a platform for survivors to share their truths and for future generations to learn about the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples.
Returning Remains
In addition to documenting survivor experiences, there is a growing movement to return the remains of children who died while attending these boarding schools. Reports indicate that at least 973 Native American children died in these institutions, and many tribes are seeking the return of their ancestors’ remains to ensure they are honored and laid to rest in their homelands. This effort reflects a commitment to addressing historical grievances and promoting healing within Native communities.
Oct. 28 / Phys.org / Examines the personal experiences of a descendant of boarding school survivors, questioning the adequacy of Biden's apology. It brings a critical perspective on historical trauma and the definition of genocide. “ October 28, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes...
Oct. 28 / Phys.org / Provides a deeply personal account from a descendant of boarding school survivors, questioning the adequacy of Biden's apology. The piece offers a critical perspective on historical trauma and genocide definitions. “ October 28, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes...
Oct. 28 / The Conversation / Explores Biden's apology while detailing the systemic abuses in Indian boarding schools. It effectively contextualizes the apology and emphasizes the need for continued acknowledgment and reparative actions. “ I am a direct descendant of family members that were forced as children to attend either a U.S. government-operated or church-run Indian boarding school....
Native Forward Responds to Presidential Apology for U.S. Role in Federal Indian Boarding Schools
Oct. 26 / Pr Newswire / Presents a response from the Native Forward Scholars Fund, framing Biden's apology as a crucial step in reconciliation. It emphasizes the need for further action and education regarding the boarding school legacy. “ ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. , Oct. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Native Forward Scholars Fund , the largest direct provider of scholarships for Native students, released a...
Biden issues rare presidential apology over Indian boarding schools, including 10 in Oregon
Oct. 25 / Oregon Local News / Highlights Biden's emotional apology and the historical context of Indian boarding schools, emphasizing the need for public acknowledgment and further action. It captures the gravity of this pivotal moment in U.S. history. “ President Joe Biden on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly...
Biden issues rare presidential apology over Indian boarding schools, including 10 in Oregon
Oct. 25 / Oregon Local News / Highlights the formal apology's context and emotional weight, providing a thorough account of Biden's visit to Indian Country. It includes diverse perspectives, underscoring the apology's importance and limitations. “ President Joe Biden on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly...
Oct. 25 / Fox News / Offers a concise summary of Biden's apology, framing it within the broader historical narrative of the boarding school system. The article succinctly captures the gravity of the moment and its implications. “ President Biden issues government apology for Federal Indian Boarding School era. President Biden on Friday offered a "long overdue" formal apology from the...
'It's long overdue' - Biden apologises over Indian boarding schools
Oct. 25 / The Bbc / Summarizes Biden's apology and its reception among Native communities, emphasizing the need for genuine reparative actions. It captures the emotional weight of the moment while calling for accountability. “ US President Joe Biden has formally apologised to Native Americans for a 150-year-old Indian boarding school policy, becoming the first president to do so....
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Oct. 25 / The New York Times / Summarizes the historical injustices faced by Native children, effectively contextualizing Biden's apology within the broader narrative of Indigenous rights. It highlights the urgency for recognition and reparative actions. “ The proposal, which faces tough legal prospects, would offer forgiveness to millions of borrowers who are unable to pay back their loans because of financial...
‘I formally apologize’: Biden condemns U.S. Indian boarding schools - The Washington Post
Oct. 25 / Google News / Calls attention to Biden's emotional apology, emphasizing its historical significance and the need for ongoing healing. It effectively captures the reactions from Native communities, highlighting mixed sentiments. “ ‘I formally apologize’: Biden condemns U.S. Indian boarding schools The Washington PostBiden apologized to Native Americans for boarding school abuses. The...
Focus group: Voters who sat out 2020 consider their 2024 ballots
Oct. 25 / Nbc News / Presents a thorough account of Biden's visit and apology, detailing the emotional weight and historical injustices faced by Native American communities. It features diverse perspectives and underscores the apology's impact. “ In the latest installment of NBC News' Deciders Focus Group series, voters who didn’t participate in the 2020 election discuss how memories of the Trump...
‘Pure Hell’: The Painful Legacy of Boarding Schools for Native Americans.
Oct. 25 / The New York Times / Explores the implications of Biden's apology, providing insights from various Native leaders. It emphasizes the need for concrete actions and accountability while acknowledging the apology's importance in the healing process. “ President Biden apologized on Friday for the abuses children experienced at the government-run schools, which were designed to erase tribal ties and cultural...
Oct. 25 / Benzinga / Provides a straightforward account of Biden's apology, focusing on the historical injustices faced by Native children. It effectively contextualizes the apology within the broader narrative of Indigenous rights. “ Vice President Kamala Harris released her "to-do list” and legalizing recreational cannabis took sixth place, right after restoring reproductive freedom....
What 2016 And 2020 Polling Reveals About This Year's Election
Oct. 25 / Zerohedge / Offers a succinct overview of Biden's apology, framing it within the broader historical narrative. It effectively conveys the significance of the moment while addressing the need for continued dialogue and reparative measures. “ Authored by Austin Alonzo via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), With less than two weeks until the general election, former President Donald Trump is...
'Smash his toy': Commentator says Bezos 'capitulated' to fascism and urges WaPo boycott
Oct. 25 / Raw Story / Delivers a focused report on Biden's apology, detailing the emotional impact and historical context. It emphasizes the acknowledgment of past wrongs and the necessity for action to address ongoing injustices. “ Political commentator Elie Mystal on Friday called on Washington Post readers to cancel their subscriptions after news broke that the editorial board would...