The federal government has just released a new report about the harm caused by Indian boarding schools that took Native American children from their families over 150 years of history. The investigation found that at least 973 children died at these schools, The Washington Post and NPR report.
Indian School, Cantonment, Okla, 1909 (Library of Congress, public domain)Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the government now accepts responsibility for these schools, which were meant to erase Native American cultures. The investigative report calls for $23 billion in funding to help Native American communities heal, the same amount the government spent on these schools.
The plan includes creating a national memorial to honor those affected, returning the land where the schools were located, and repatriating the remains of children who died. The report also suggests a formal apology from the US government and more work to learn about this part of history.
Ms Haaland said this report is just the beginning of the healing process for Native American communities. “The Road to Healing,” NPR quoted her as saying, “does not end with this report; it is just beginning.”
