On this National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) pauses to honor the lives of Native children who were taken from their families and never returned. We also stand in solidarity with the survivors, their families, and tribal Nations still grappling with the generational trauma caused by these institutions.
The U.S. Indian Boarding School system, in operation from the early 1800s to the mid-20th century, sought to assimilate Native children by forcibly removing them from their homes and communities, severing their cultural ties, and often subjecting them to abuse and neglect. Thousands of children lost their lives in these institutions, while many others were left with lifelong scars.
“Today, we remember the children who never returned home, and we honor the strength and resilience of Survivors who carry their memories forward,” said NABS Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Parker (Tulalip Tribes). “It is a time to reflect on this painful chapter in our history and to reaffirm our commitment to healing, justice, and the preservation of Native cultures.”
As the Nation acknowledges this dark period in history, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition calls on all Americans to educate themselves about the ongoing impact of the boarding school system and to support initiatives that help Native communities heal.
“On the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian boarding schools, we honor the lives affected by this painful legacy, acknowledge the strength of Survivors and our Native communities and our shared responsibility to foster healing and understanding,” said NABS President Ruth Anna Buffalo (Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation).
NABS encourages communities across the country to engage in events, dialogues, and actions that promote understanding, and healing. Together, we can ensure that the voices of survivors are heard, their stories are shared, and their healing is supported.
