Acknowledging Mistakes of the Past
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
From 1819 through the 1970s, the United States government implemented policies establishing Indian boarding schools throughout our country. In total, more than 526 boarding schools were created with Oklahoma housing 76 Indian boarding schools – more than any other state – and nearly 83 percent of Indigenous school-age children were attending these schools. Yet, for far too long, the history, policies, and devastating impacts of Indian boarding schools have been kept in the shadows.
As an enrollod member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest serving Native American in the House of Representatives, I see it as my responsibility to educate and spread awareness about Tribal issues to not only my colleagues in Congress, but to all Americans. This includes the topic of Indian boarding schools.
When these schools were first created in the 19th century, Native American families were lied to and told that Indian boarding schools would offer prosperous conditions and future opportunities for their children. Yet, in reality, they were created in an effort to assimilate Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children away from their rich Tribal culture.
The government actually began to forcibly – and sometimes violently – remove Indian children from their homes and transport them to these schools, as they were mandatory regardless of whether or not Indigenous families gave consent. Then, once at the boarding schools, they were treated horribly. Upon arrival, the children were immediately stripped of their Native American heritage. They were given new names, clothes, hairstyles, and were forced to stop speaking their Tribal languages. In fact, the phrase “kill the Indian, save the man” was coined by Richard Pratt, founder and superintendent of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, during that era, further proving assimilation was the main goal.
On top of that, these innocent children suffered physical, sexual, cultural, spiritual, and even deadly abuse. Sadly, most Native American children never returned home from Indian boarding schools.
The silence on this issue cannot go on. We must bring light to this dark chapter in our nation’s history, acknowledge our past mistakes, and bring answers to those whose ancestors never returned.
Through my legislation, H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025, Congress can act. This bill, which I introduced with Representative Sharice Davids of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, will establish a commission to formally investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, Indian boarding school policies, and the long-term effect of these schools and policies on Native American peoples. The commission will develop recommendations for federal efforts based on the findings, as well as offer answers for survivors, the descendants of survivors, and the communities of survivors.
Having co-led this legislation many times, we are truly dedicated to bringing Native American communities one step closer to the answers they deserve. So, to my colleagues - please help us to advance H.R. 7325 through the legislative process, as we must acknowledge our past mistakes and learn from them.