The recent expansion of the number of children who died in the U.S.-funded Indian boarding school system has brought to light the tragic history of Native American communities. After a three-year investigation, the federal government has acknowledged its responsibility for the creation of the system and is calling for billions in federal funding to begin the healing process.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland expressed the government’s role in isolating children from their families, denying them their identities, and erasing their cultures and languages. The report estimates that the federal government spent $23 billion in today’s dollars on the boarding school system from 1871 to 1969. It proposes spending a similar amount to rebuild families and communities, including initiatives like a national memorial and returning the land to government or tribal ownership.
The investigation revealed a larger system than previously thought, with more schools and burial grounds involved. The report confirms that at least 973 children died while attending these schools, though the actual number is likely higher. Bryan Newland, assistant secretary of Indian affairs, emphasized that the legacy of these institutions continues to affect communities today.
One proposed initiative is to identify and repatriate the remains of children who never returned home from the schools. The report aims to pair the truth about the Indian boarding school system with action, advocating for a $23.3 billion investment back to tribes over time. Programs for family reunification, language revitalization, and Indian education are crucial to addressing the trauma inflicted on tribal communities.
In addition to financial investments, the report calls for a national memorial to acknowledge the harm done to tribes and individuals. It also urges the U.S. government to issue a formal apology and continue documenting this dark period of history. Interior Secretary Haaland emphasized that the road to healing is just beginning and that more work needs to be done to address the lasting impact of the boarding school system on Native American communities.
