Investigation Uncovers Deaths of Over 970 Native American Children in US Boarding Schools

At least 973 Native American children died in the US government's boarding school system, according to an investigation released on Tuesday. Officials have called for an apology from the government for these schools. The investigation, led by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, uncovered both marked and unmarked graves at 65 of over 400 schools established to assimilate Native American children into white society.

The report does not detail how each child died but mentions causes such as illness, accidents, and abuse over a 150-year period ending in 1969. The findings follow listening sessions held across the US over two years, where former students shared their experiences of harsh and degrading treatment while separated from their families.

"The federal government — facilitated by the Department I lead — took deliberate and strategic actions through federal Indian boarding school policies to isolate children from their families, deny them their identities, and steal from them the languages, cultures and connections that are foundational to Native people," said Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

Historical Context and Policies

In an initial report released in 2022, officials estimated that more than 500 children had died at these schools. The federal government enacted laws and policies in 1819 to support the schools, which continued operating until the 1960s. These institutions gave Native American children English names, subjected them to military drills, and forced them to perform manual labor such as farming and brick-making.

Former students recounted tearful memories during listening sessions in states like Oklahoma, South Dakota, Michigan, Arizona, and Alaska. They spoke about being punished for speaking their native languages, being locked in basements, and having their hair cut to erase their identities. Some were subjected to solitary confinement, beatings, and food deprivation.

Personal Accounts

Donovan Archambault from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana was sent to boarding schools at age 11. He was mistreated, forced to cut his hair, and prevented from speaking his native language. He turned his life around after heavy drinking for two decades but never discussed his school days with his children until he wrote a book about it years later. "An apology is needed. They should apologise," Archambault told The Associated Press. "But there also needs to be a broader education about what happened to us."

The new report does not specify who should issue the apology on behalf of the federal government but suggests it should be done through "appropriate means and officials" to show it is made on behalf of the United States people. It also recommends investing in programs to help Native American communities heal from boarding school traumas. This includes funding for education, violence prevention, and revitalizing indigenous languages.

Financial Aspects

The schools and related assimilation programs were funded by USD 23.3 billion in inflation-adjusted federal spending. Religious and private institutions that ran many of these schools received federal money as partners in this campaign to "civilize" Indigenous students. By 1926, over 80% of Indigenous school-age children—around 60,000—were attending boarding schools run by either the federal government or religious organisations.

The Minnesota-based National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has identified over 100 additional schools not on the government list that were run by churches without federal support. In June, US Catholic bishops apologised for the church's role in the trauma experienced by these children. In 2022, Pope Francis also apologised for the Catholic Church's involvement with boarding schools in Canada.

Legislative Actions

Pending legislation before Congress aims to establish a "Truth and Healing Commission" to document past injustices related to boarding schools. The measure is sponsored by Democrat Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and supported by Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. "It is time the federal government takes responsibility for its harmful policies," Murkowski said on the Senate floor last week. "Our Commission will provide a Native-led process for communities to share stories, share truth, and pursue healing."

Interior Department officials recommend that spending on healing efforts should match the USD 23 billion spent on these schools when adjusted for inflation. This includes funding for education programs aimed at preventing violence and revitalizing indigenous languages.

The investigation highlights a dark chapter in US history where Native American children were forcibly assimilated into white society through abusive practices at boarding schools. The call for an apology and investment in healing programs aims to address this historical trauma and support affected communities moving forward.