Biden acknowledges the horrific oppression of Native American children in boarding schools

In a significant moment for Native American history, President Joe Biden announced the establishment of the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument during the White House Tribal Nations Summit. This event took place in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the school was founded in 1879 as a federal boarding institution aimed at assimilating Native American children. The monument serves to remember the painful legacy of over 7,800 children from more than 140 tribes who were forcibly taken from their families and subjected to a system designed to eradicate their cultures and identities. The federal boarding school system, which existed for nearly 40 years, systematically separated Native children from their families. Many of these children were subjected to harsh treatment, including sexual abuse, forced labor, and extensive cultural suppression aimed at erasing their languages and religious practices. The proclamation highlights the death of nearly 1,000 children in these institutions, with many more likely unrecorded, and emphasizes the long-lasting repercussions of these actions on Native communities. During the announcement, President Biden underscored the importance of acknowledging this dark chapter in American history. He stated, "To that end, the children taken to these institutions were often separated from their families for years, and many never returned to their homes." As part of the administration's broader commitment to Native American communities, Biden mentioned efforts to lower unemployment, combat child poverty, and increase federal contracts awarded to Native businesses, reflecting a contemporary push toward reconciliation and revitalization of Native cultures. Moreover, the new national monument will be managed collaboratively by the National Park Service and the U.S. Army, reinforcing the federal government’s role in acknowledging and addressing historical injustices. The establishment of this monument is a step toward healing and ensuring that the painful experiences of the past are not forgotten, as well as promoting continued dialogue about the treatment of Native Americans by the government. Through this initiative, Biden aims to honor the lives of those affected by the boarding school policies and affirm the commitment of his administration to support Native American rights and cultural legacy.