President Joe Biden will apologize for the Indian boarding school system on Friday at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. This system separated Native American children from their families for generations.
“I’m doing something that should have happened a long time ago,” Biden said. “I’ll apologize to Indian nations for how their children were treated.” He stressed the need to confront this historical injustice.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, will join Biden. Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet member, shared her family’s personal experience with the boarding school system. “This chapter was hidden from history books, but now our administration ensures no one will forget,” Haaland said.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. called Biden’s apology “long overdue.” He urged action to preserve Native languages and return ancestral remains. “This moment is profound for Native people,” Hoskin said.
Lasting Harm of Indian Boarding Schools
From 1819 to 1969, U.S. policy supported Indian boarding schools to forcibly assimilate Native children. Many children experienced abuse, and some died while at these schools. Investigations revealed lasting trauma for Native communities.
In 2021, Deb Haaland launched an investigation into the system’s impact. A 2022 report found 417 schools across 37 states and at least 973 child deaths. The report also identified 74 burial sites at 65 school locations. These findings highlighted the system’s enduring harm to Native communities.
The federal government faces growing calls to create a national memorial honoring boarding school survivors. Advocates also demand apologies and reparations for affected communities. Biden’s apology marks a key step toward addressing this painful history and ensuring it is never forgotten.
