Indian Boarding School Apology
President Joe Biden is winding down his one term in office with his first trip to Indian Country. He spoke at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, where he discussed his administration's nation-to-nation efforts. He also offered an apology for the federal government's genocidal Indian boarding school era.
• VIDEOS: President Joe Biden |
Secretary Deb Haaland
• TRANSCRIPT: President Joe Biden
• PHOTOS:
DOI |
White House
Here's Your Headlines:
Indian Country is waking up to new political realities with Republican Donald Trump headed to the White House after an election season that saw an unprecedented Native vote effort in support of Democrat Kamala Harris.
There has been a history of voting complications within Native communities in Arizona, and 2024 was no different.
Arizona was one of the last states to allow voting rights for Native people.
Are Native people poised to benefit from the change in power in Washington?
Native people have long felt like politicians overlook them, but both parties are seeking the Native vote more than ever before.
Mary Peltola is the first Alaska Native to serve in the U.S. Congress. The Democratic trailblazer has the support of Alaska Natives and a key Republican as she seeks another term in office.
Democrat Jonathan Nez is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Eli Crane in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, which has never sent a Native candidate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Oklahoma's largest tribes believe a campaign to oust three judges is an attack on tribal sovereignty.
All the messages to encourage Native voting, the legal and technical work to assure access, and the onslaught of campaign ads come down to Election Day.
Vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for a bright future in America.
"Are we ready to win?" asks Jade Begay, Native American Engagement Director for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.
Award-winning Native actress Lily Gladstone endorsed Jon Tester of Montana as he seeks re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation, is seeking to make history in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District.
The largest federally-recognized tribe in Oklahoma is reminding citizens of the importance of voting.
Vote to make our ancestors proud!
How do we determine who is Native American?
Child care is a growing obstacle for Cherokee families.
When Virgil Dixon tried to register to vote in his birthplace state of New Mexico, the Navajo veteran was denied and had to go to court.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris voiced support for full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe in the battleground state of New Mexico.
Let’s turn out the Native Vote!
Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, admits there’s no medical records of his gunshot wound after being asked “Did you shoot yourself in the arm?”
The possibility of federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is a factor as voters go to the polls in North Carolina.
A team of students and faculty at Montana State University have developed recipes to help support Native producers and improve food security on reservations.
Dark Winds, a television series set on the Navajo Nation, is coming back!. Get your first look at the upcoming season.
“It was long overdue,” said Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council.
A man who bragged about going “on a killing spree” was sentenced to 46 months in prison for trafficking eagle feathers and eagle parts.
When the ownership of abandoned oil or gas wells is untraceable, responsibility falls to federal, local and tribal governments.
Join Native America Calling to hear about the history of “Lighthorse” and how they paved the way for tribal law enforcement.
IJA hosted a virtual roundtable, “Reporting on the Native Vote,” on October 29, 2024.
The UKB is not a threat to the historic Cherokee Nation.
Halloween is the right time to dive into new spooky books by Native authors.
Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, campaigns on the Navajo Nation on October 26, 2024.
Deb Haaland campaigns for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Navajo Nation on October 26, 2024.
In the swing state of Arizona, President Biden formally apologized for U.S. government-run Native American boarding schools.
In true double-down MAGA fashion, I don’t expect Tim Sheehy to apologize to the Crow Tribe or Indigenous peoples of Montana anytime soon for his gross misrepresentation of us.
With a week left to go until Election Day 2024, polls that show presidential candidates neck-and-neck mirror some of the races closer to the Treasure State.
With just a week to go until Election Day, all eyes remain on the swing state of Arizona.
With the 2024 general elections well underway, we are working to ensure voters can cast their ballots and that every vote is counted.
Four Native people just received the nation’s highest honor recognizing work and dedication to enriching the community.
“The federal government has never formally apologized, until today,” President Joe Biden said during a historic visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.
At least 1,000 Indigenous leaders are gathering in New Mexico for the World Indigenous Business Forum.
Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation, raised more than $1 million in October 2024 alone, according to his U.S. Congressional campaign.
Voting is one of the most powerful ways tribal citizens can make their voices heard, whether in tribal, local, state, or federal elections.
“We urge Congress to pass legislation that would further illuminate this history and support the ongoing journey toward healing,” said President Mark Macarro.
“Our communities are still broken because of what we were forced to endure,” said President Rickey Armstrong, Sr.
“Congress needs to act now and pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Act, so we can learn from our past and make sure these wrongs are never repeated,” said Chief Executive Officer Francys Crevier.
Indian boarding schools notoriously worked to stamp out Native languages, religions, and cultures — along with traditional foodways.
NAFOA looks out for our community — help us grow by forwarding this newsletter!
Republican Kari Lake is running for governor of Arizona, home to nearly two dozen tribes.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Watch the historic speech.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Watch her remarks.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Listen to her remarks.
Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community welcomes visitors to his tribal nation on October 25, 2024. Listen in.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25, 2024. Tune in!
“Oklahoma was home to 87 boarding schools in which thousands of our Cherokee children attended,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“Survivors live among our communities and the trauma they endured echoes through our families,” said Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter.
“Today’s apology by President Biden on behalf of the United States government is both welcomed and long overdue,” said Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe.
“Genocide, institutional racism, abuse in all forms, cultural disconnection, alienation and pressure to assimilate away from Native culture and identity have haunted our people for generations,” said the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
“For generations, Native children, including many Navajo, endured an education system that aimed to erase our languages, cultures, and identities,” said President Buu Nygren.
“President Biden’s apology is a critical acknowledgment of past injustices and wrongdoings by the federal government, and it lays the groundwork for continued healing,” said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley.
“This apology is an important step forward, but it must be accompanied by meaningful actions addressing these historical injustices’ ongoing impacts,” said AFN President Benjamin Mallott.
“President Biden’s acknowledgment of the deep wounds caused by the Indian boarding school era is a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation,” said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation.
“Indigenous communities have been subjected to trauma at every scale and dimension imaginable,” said COLT Vice Chairman Tracy King.
“It is our deepest hope that the apology opens the doors to restoration of those things lost due to boarding school era policies – our culture, traditions, and most importantly our languages,” said Chief Executive Officer Lori Jump.
Native peoples continue to endure the consequences of this era, evident in ongoing trauma, loss of cultural heritage, and persistent systemic inequalities, said the NIWRC.
“President Biden’s apology is a moment of validation for our communities, recognizing the profound trauma endured by generations of Native children and families—including my own mother,” said National Indian Health Board Chairman William Smith.
“It is essential that this apology is not merely symbolic but is accompanied by actionable commitments to repair the harm done,” said CSVANW Executive Director Tiffany Jiron.
Apologies offer hope for continued healing, acknowledgment of a tragic historical record, and movement toward righting a wrong, said the Native American Church of North America.
“The impact of boarding schools upon the health and well-being of Native American children and families cannot be overstated,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso.
“This is an important day for our country and for all Native peoples,” said Shelly Lowe, the first Native person to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities.
“For more than a century, the federal government’s Indian Boarding School policies and practices stole hundreds of thousands of Native children from their homes in an effort to destroy Native languages, cultures, and identities,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
“The Indian Boarding School era left lasting, intergenerational scars on tribal families and communities,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington).
“Let us never forget the scars inflicted on our Native brothers and sisters,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico).
“The incredible resilience of Native peoples, even as the United States government tried to erase and eradicate their identities, is deeply inspiring,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota).
“For generations, Native children were taken from their families and communities in an inhumane attempt to erase their culture that led to the abuse and even murder of young students,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).
“The Federal Indian Boarding School era was a shameful, dark chapter in American history,” said. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon).
President Joe Biden is taking the historic step to formally apologize for the federal government’s role in the genocidal Indian boarding school era.
“The Native American boarding school policy represents a dark chapter in U.S. history, characterized by the forced assimilation of Indigenous children into Euro-American culture," said U.S. Congressional candidate Jonathan Nez.
More than 200 people and four organizations are supporting the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in denouncing a Republican candidate’s derogatory remarks about Native Americans.
“Here in Arizona, there is a lot of enthusiasm, there’s a lot of energy,” Sen. Mark Kelly said as he campaigned for Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates.
President Joe Biden is highlighting his administration’s Indian Country achievements as he prepares to visit a tribe in Arizona.
For the first time in history, a sitting U.S. president is set to apologize for the federal government’s role in abuse and mistreatment at Indian boarding schools.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is moving forward with regulations to implement the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, also known as the STOP Act.
Every year, thousands of Native people are going without the health care they’re entitled, or are risking costly medical bills for treatment that should be covered.
Jonathan Nez is seeking to make history as Arizona’s first Native member of Congress.
The Affordable Care Act, which permanently authorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, is once again a subject of debate in the 2024 presidential race.
With less than two weeks before the November 2024 election, join Native America Calling to discuss progress — and continuing hurdles — for Native voters.
Jonathan Nez is seeking to make history as the first Native person to serve in the U.S. Congress for Arizona.
Indigenous communities across the Southwest face adversities that stem from historical marginalization.
As his time in the White House winds down, President Joe Biden continues to celebrate and champion Native artists and Native cultures.
Shelly Lowe, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, addresses a reception at the White House on October 21, 2024.
President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden host a National Arts and Humanities reception at the White House on October 21, 2024.
Voters on the Navajo Nation are enthusiastic in Arizona, one of the battleground states in the 2024 election.
“Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to embrace all Indigenous people everywhere,” said Deeanna Talley, a singer who goes by Nanibaah.
Native student admissions for the class of 2028 have suffered after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious recruitment in colleges and universities.
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Turtle Mountain Chippewa v. Howe on October 22, 2024.
The Department of the Treasury is celebrating a major milestone in tribal economic development, surpassing the $500 million mark in investments for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Indian Country.
The Navajo Nation is mourning the loss of John Kinsel Sr., who was the oldest Code Talker.
I cannot meet my oath of office if I do not defend Cherokee sovereignty against all attackers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with Flatwater Group, owned by the Winnebago Tribe’s economic arm, to enhance maintenance operations along the Missouri River.
Federal funding expires at the end of the year for a program that has reduced diabetes among Native people.
Your weekly digest on the latest in tribal economic growth.
Tribes across Montana have continued to call for protections of grizzly bears, a sacred and important anima in their cultures.
Claudia Sheinbaum has made history as Mexico’s first female president, taking office with promises to improve the nation’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.
Ruben Gallego, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Arizona, hiked for miles to reach the Havasupai Tribe.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris discusses tribal sovereignty at a campaign rally in Wisconsin.
Shannon Holsey, the president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, campaigns for Kamala Harris in Wisconsin.
The Department of the Treasury released a list of State Small Business Credit Initiative Tribal Government Approvals through October 2024.
The Department of the Treasury released a list of State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Application Approvals through October 2024.
In the final days before the November 2024 election, campaigns are working at a feverish pace to reach Native voters.
A federal appeals court has revived a long-simmering dispute between two tribal nations but both parties remain far apart on what the decision means for sacred Creek land
The U.S. Navy is formally apologizing to Alaska Native residents of Angoon, more than 140 years bombarding the Tlingit village.
The Miss Navajo Nation pageant celebrates tribal culture and tradition, and imbues the winner as a role model on the largest reservation in the U.S.
The Civilization video game franchise is getting a Shawnee storyline, thanks to a collaboration with the Shawnee Tribe.
"The future in Indian Country looks bright with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz," Peggy Flanagan says in a video promoting the Democratic presidential ticket.
Chitina Diversified Services, an Alaska Native corporation owned firm, has won a $7.4 million contract from the General Services Administration.
For the second year in a row, the “Trail of Tears” art show was held in Woodbury, Tennessee.
Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of water under a deal struck over a century ago – a deal that excluded tribal nations.
Native land is the medium Cherokee journalist and writer Rebecca Nagle uses to convey the long fight for justice and accountability.
Every day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
"We have a duty to make sure that all Native people have the opportunity to thrive," Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris says in a campaign ad.
President Joe Biden has issued the last Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation of his administration.
The Democratic National Committee is targeting Native voters in four states through Native media outlets.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks with Native youth during a campaign stop in Arizona on October 10, 2024.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigns on the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 10, 2024.
We are in the midst of what could become the greatest century in Cherokee history.
The Gila River Indian Community received nearly $6 million in federal funds to create a first-of-its kind renewable energy project.
Duke Redbird's activism initially rose from hardship, and he turned to writing after encountering racism and discrimination in school.
Despite considerable controversy over his comments about Native people, Republican Tim Sheehy is leading Democrat Jon Tester in the U.S. Senate race in Montana.
Join Native Americans for Harris-Walz for a National Organizing Call on October 11, 2024.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, tribes got more of a say in Congress and tons more funding. A Trump-Vance win could upend that.
The Native American Rodeo is part of the rich tradition of the Arizona State Fair, with spectators and competitors from tribal nations across the country.
Both presidential campaigns are pouring resources into Arizona, a swing state where Native voters could make a substantial difference in the outcome of the election.
Lies about various aspects of FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene could potentially endanger first responders on the ground.
The Miccosukee Tribe and the Seminole Tribe are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Milton after the catastrophic storm hit their homelands in Florida.
The Indian Health Service finds Native people are two and a half times more likely to report serious psychological distress.
“The Quapaw Nation opposes any use of its name or purported portrayal of our people without the Nation’s consent,” a tribal statement reads.
The Native-written and Native-directed ‘Rez Ball’ is coming in strong following its debut on the Netflix streaming service.
Dan Foreman, a Republican lawmaker in Idaho, stormed out of a “Meet your candidates” event after a question about racism and discrimination.
"People like Dan Foreman do not represent our diverse community, and I will continue to stand against the hatred and racism they spread," said Trish Carter-Goodheart, a candidate for the Idaho Legislature.
The Nez Perce Tribe is condemning remarks from a Republican politician who told a Native candidate to "go back to where you came from."
Join Native America Calling to hear from tribal emergency management officials about their evolving disaster plans.
Uranium mining has been a point of contention for Southwest tribal nations for decades.
With her debut book, award-winning journalist Rebecca Nagle is taking a look at one of the most consequential U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Indian Country.
A portrayal of the Pine Ridge Reservation by a YouTube personality with more than 2 million subscribers is drawing criticism for focusing on stereotypes.
Having endured colonization, Native women and advocates are speaking up to reclaim justice -- one piece at a time.
The tribally-owned Char-Koosta News released audio that confirms what Republican candidate Tim Sheehy said about Native people being “drunk at 8am.” And there’s more.
Robert Mirabal, the award-winning flutist from the Pueblo of Taos, is embarking on a short tour with Ethel, a string quartet.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is investing nearly $10 million in tribal treaty fishing sites along the Columbia River.
The U.S. government recently recognized the harm caused by the dams and has promised to work to restore salmon runs but tribal members doubt much will change.
There is no greater aspiration than building a stronger, healthier world for the next generation.
Learn how you can support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
A possible rat sighting on a remote island in Alaska has Native people and scientists on alert.
Ahead of the 2024 election, organizations across Arizona are ramping up efforts to register Native voters and address challenges in getting to the polls.
Hitaałiinez Wheeler (Diné) and Sierra Spirit (Otoe-Missouria / UKB) are dropping new music for listeners.
With a little over a month before the election, Native advocates are working to ensure Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris wins the race for the White House.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will host a voter registration drive in Pendleton, Oregon, on October 10, 2024.
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris announces the launch of Native Americans for Harris-Walz on October 2, 2024.
“Vice President Harris has been a fierce advocate for Tribal sovereignty, working to secure funding for health care, education, and economic development that truly empowers our communities,” said Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.
An organization in New Mexico is cutting the ribbon on a new building they say will help develop Native entrepreneurs.
Secretary Deb Haaland visited one of the most infamous Indian boarding school sites amid ongoing efforts to hold the U.S. accountable for a genocidal era in history.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) is the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee with jurisdiction over Indian issues.
Citizens of the Fort Peck Tribes are seeking satellite voting locations on the reservation, arguing that Native voters have poor access to the polls.
Republican U.S. Senate challenger Tim Sheehy is drawing fire for comments deemed derogatory against Native people.
Native issues are playing a big role in the U.S. Senate race in Montana, the outcome of which is being closely watched in an already heated presidential election year.
Native people were removed from a conservative rally featuring Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana.
“You're a big guy. Just apologize." Watch what Tim Sheehy couldn’t do at the Montana PBS debate with Jon Tester.
Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, finally admitted making negative remarks about Native people. But he said he was joking. And he refused to apologize.
The increasing demand for power is prompting challenges from a number of tribes who say the means to transmit that power is harming sacred and culture sites.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is counting its blessings and coming together as a community amid widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Cherokee Nation has a sovereign right to issue tags on our reservation, and the state has no authority to interfere with that.
Falling into new opportunities with NAFOA!
People exposed to radiation from atomic bomb tests and uranium mines rallied at the U.S. Capitol to demand action on a stalled compensation program.
Ryan Martinez was recorded on video shooting a Native activist during a prayer ceremony and protest against genocide and colonization.
“This funding will provide tribes and rural counties with the resources they need to design and implement programs that work best for the Montanans they serve,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte (R).
The U.S. Navy formally apologized to the Village of Kake for a devastating bombardment of the Tlingit community more than 150 years ago.
How much do the proposed USDA Dietary Guidelines reflect what industries want to promote as opposed to what Native people consider nutritious?
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a legislative hearing on September 25, 2024. Watch the testimony.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a legislative hearing on September 25, 2024. Listen to the testimony.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a business meeting on September 25, 2024. Watch the video.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a business meeting on September 25, 2024. Listen to the audio.
In “Rez Ball,” a Native director and cast tell the story of trauma and healing within a reservation basketball team.
Nearly every American has forever chemicals in their body. But information specific to Native people is limited.
"We’ve got your back for the next 42 days, sister!" Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) said of Jade Begay joining the Kamala Harris team.
Native voters in Montana say state and local officials are trying to keep them from getting to the polls.
Watch Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump make another promise to the Lumbee Tribe.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is once again promising to help the Lumbee Tribe.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is taking testimony on legislation affecting tribal water rights and natural resources.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is taking up three bills at a business meeting.
Survivors of nuclear testing and uranium mines are ramping up pressure on Congress to reauthorize a federal compensation program that expired in June.
Crow people were still fuming over a Republican candidate deriding them as being “drunk at 8 a.m.” when a campaign ad began circulating about “white farmers.”
Contact
Search
Hot Topics
Useful Links
National Native News
News Archive
Indian Gaming Archive