Tunica-Biloxi Tribe: ‘Young tribal citizens suffered unspeakable harms’

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Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Photo by Kevin Abourezk

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Issues Statement on Biden Administration’s Apology to Native Americans

Friday, October 25, 2024

Indianz.Com

MARKSVILLE, Louisiana — With President Biden’s apology today to Native Americans for the boarding school policy that caused the death and extensive abuse of countless Native American Children, Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman, Marshall Pierite issued the following statement:

“Today’s apology by President Biden on behalf of the United States government is both welcomed and long overdue. For decades, young Native Americans were taken from their families and placed in boarding schools against their will. As the investigation by the Department of the Interior demonstrates, young tribal citizens suffered unspeakable harms, with many dying in their custody – an undeniably dark period in the history of the United States. While today’s apology is a welcomed step, nothing can be done to bring back the young people lost or the threads of our cultural fabric that were taken away from us.

With today’s apology, my hope is that all tribal nations will look forward and work together toward the shared goal of improving the lives of our tribal citizens and the communities around us. Indian country is one built upon the principles of strength, perseverance, and the belief in a brighter future for all tribal citizens. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is committed to working with all tribal nations to build that brighter future, which will be done in honor of those we have lost, those that came before us, and all who have fought – and died – for the progress we seek.”