June 14, 2024
On June 13, 2024, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce voted in support of House Resolution 7227 (H.R. 7227): The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.
“The legacy of Indian boarding schools unveils deep-ceded injustices that have profoundly affected and continue to resonate within Tribal nations and communities. Supporting H.R. 7227 is crucial in acknowledging and addressing these longstanding historical wrongs, paving the way for truth, justice, and healing for survivors and their descendants,” said NABS CEO, Deborah Parker (Tulalip Tribes). “We deserve to know the truth and Congress must act decisively to address the enduring trauma and embrace this moment for meaningful progress.”
“I applaud the House Committee on Education and Workforce for their bipartisan support on H.R. 7227. This joint effort underscores the dedication to acknowledging and addressing historical injustices faced by Native people, a pivotal step towards fostering healing among our relatives,” said NABS Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ponka-We Victors-Cozad (Tohono O’odham Nation/Ponca Tribe).
The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act will create a 6-year commission that will inquire into the assimilative policies of the U.S. Indian Boarding Schools to examine or undertake the following:
- The location of Native children’s graves and locations of their burials,
- Document the ongoing impacts from boarding school eras and locate local, state, religious institutions, and private records of this era,
- Collect testimony from survivors, Tribal Nations, and subject matter experts,
- Create a commission and disseminate findings and recommendations for legislation and administrative actions to address the impacts of the Federal Indian boarding school policies, and,
- Investigate beyond the Department of Interior’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, offering more comprehensive data and insights to better determine the number of human lives lost and impacted during this era.
Additionally, H.R. 7227 advocates for the establishment of a resource center dedicated to gathering and safeguarding documents, records, and personal testimonies associated with Indian boarding schools. This center would serve as a valuable repository for researchers, educators, and future generations, offering insights into this somber chapter of history.
By supporting this legislation, we are taking a crucial step toward recognizing and honoring Tribal sovereignty. Tribal communities and individuals deserve the opportunity to heal from historical injustices in a manner that is meaningful and consistent with their cultural values.
For your reference, the NABS U.S. Truth & Healing Commission Bill advocacy toolkit is available here.
