Report Details Deaths of Native Children at Boarding Schools

A recent U.S. Department of the Interior report confirms that at least 973 Native American children died while attending federal boarding schools between 1819 and 1969, with the actual death toll likely higher. The report highlights the systemic violence and abuse at these schools, where children were forcibly taken from their families and subjected to cultural assimilation, including the prohibition of their languages and practices. Marked and unmarked burial sites were identified at 65 of the 400 schools, revealing the extent of the trauma inflicted on Indigenous communities. The investigation, initiated by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, underscores a historical reckoning with the federal government's role in these policies, which aimed to eradicate Indigenous culture. The report also urges a formal apology for the federal government's actions, acknowledging the long-lasting effects of this era. Overall, it sheds light on a dark chapter in American history and the ongoing need for healing within Indigenous communities.