“For centuries, the U.S. government sought to eliminate Tribal communities and their cultures. The U.S. Indian Boarding School Policies, which forcibly removed Native children from their communities in an effort to erase Native cultures and languages, devastated communities and caused horrific generational trauma. Establishing the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Policy is a step towards healing and will help provide long overdue answers to Native communities,” said Senator Smith.

“Our country must reckon with the deeply painful history of Indian boarding school policies that caused irreparable damage to Native communities.  We must understand and fully acknowledge the federal government’s attempts to eradicate Native cultures, religions, and languages, often by violating the rights of Native communities,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m signing on to the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act to ensure that Indian boarding school policies are properly investigated and to aid Native American families as they heal from the trauma inflicted by our nation’s shameful history.”

“The harsh and inhumane treatment inflicted upon Native communities throughout our nation’s history remains a painful scar. This legislation is a crucial step towards us acknowledging and reckoning with that dark chapter,” said Senator Booker. “The creation of the Truth and Healing Commission would finally offer a much-needed platform to investigate past injustices, give survivors a chance to share their stories, and address the enduring trauma suffered by Native families and communities that persists to this day.”

“Centuries of horrific injustices against Native American Tribes and their children are constantly overlooked in the teaching of our nation’s history. Justice requires acknowledgement of that history and healing for the descendants of that legacy of injustice—we must reckon with our past,” said Senator Merkley. “Creating a commission that will examine the human rights violations that took place at Indian boarding schools is a necessary step to begin to atone for the resulting and enduring intergenerational trauma.”

“Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes enrich our state in unique and valuable ways. This commission will hold the federal government accountable for harmful policies against native children and identify ways to ensure healthy learning environments that protect and honor native cultures,” said Senator Sinema.

“Indian boarding schools were a tragic chapter in U.S. history, and we must confront these abuses and support the many tribal communities who were targeted,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am proud to support the creation of the Truth and Healing Commission and will continue to work with Nevada’s Stewart Indian School and Native organizations across the country to help address these past injustices and stand up for Indigenous children and families across the country.”

“The legacy of the Federal Indian Boarding School era is a stain on our nation’s history. Native communities and Tribal Nations today continue to bear the scars inflicted by the federal government and it’s time for us to a take steps to make amends,”said Senator Luján.“I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation to begin the reconciliation process for the boarding school era with our Native brothers and sisters.”

“As representatives of the U.S. government, it is our shared responsibility to make right the wrongs done to Native peoples across Colorado and the country, and we have a long way to go to do so. This legislation to establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies is a good first step toward addressing the horrific abuse and trauma inflicted on Native children at Indian boarding schools and the lasting effect it has had on Native communities to this day,” said Senator Bennet.

“Establishing a formal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools is long overdue,” said Senator Heinrich. “As we continue our work to support Tribal sovereignty, Native language revitalization, and self-determination in education, the federal government also needs to fully acknowledge the trauma inflicted by U.S. Indian Boarding School policies.”

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