For generations, Indigenous advocates and leaders across the United States have tirelessly campaigned for a federal commission to document the harrowing testimonies of survivors of the federal and religiously operated Indian boarding school system. This landmark initiative, now closer to fruition, marks a pivotal moment in American history, mirroring similar crucial truth-telling efforts undertaken in nations like Canada and Australia to confront their own colonial pasts. The proposed Truth and Healing Commission would stand as the first of its kind in the U.S., signaling a long-overdue reckoning with a dark chapter that profoundly shaped Native American communities.

Momentum for this vital legislation surged last month when Representatives Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Sharice Davis (D-Kan.) introduced a corresponding bill in the House of Representatives, following the successful passage of an identical measure in the Senate. This bicameral progress significantly elevates the prospect of the bill becoming law, demonstrating a rare bipartisan consensus on an issue of profound historical and social justice. The proposed commission would comprise five individuals, selected by Congress based on recommendations from tribal nations and Indigenous-led organizations, ensuring that the body is rooted in the very communities most affected by these institutions. Its multifaceted mandate would involve creating a dedicated platform for survivors to bravely share their experiences, conducting a thorough investigation into the federal government’s pervasive role in the operation and funding of these schools, assessing their devastating impacts on Indigenous peoples, and ultimately, producing a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for a path toward genuine healing and reconciliation.

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) has been a relentless driving force behind this legislation, shepherding it through various iterations since its initial introduction in 2021. This commission would build upon NABS’s decade-long commitment to documenting the oral histories of survivors, a critical endeavor to preserve these invaluable firsthand accounts before they are lost to time. Furthermore, it seeks to expand significantly upon the foundational investigations initiated by the Department of the Interior under the Biden administration. These preliminary federal inquiries unveiled a shocking scale, identifying 417 federal Indian boarding schools spanning 37 states, institutions designed to forcibly remove Indigenous children from their families, strip them of their cultural identities, and subject them to systematic assimilation, widespread abuse, and in many documented cases, death. The federal government, it is estimated, allocated over $23 billion in today’s dollars to sustain this brutal system for nearly a century, underscoring the deliberate and extensive nature of this national policy.

Samuel Torres (Mexica/Nahua), deputy chief executive officer of NABS, recently underscored the profound significance of this legislative effort, highlighting its unique bipartisan support in a deeply polarized political landscape. He characterized the bill as an unprecedented opportunity for the United States to address long-standing questions posed by Indian Country for generations, questions that have historically been met with silence or insufficient inquiry. Torres emphasized the urgency, stating that the nation’s elders, who are the last living survivors of these institutions, are rapidly aging. Passing this bill now, he argued, is an imperative not only for them but also for their ancestors and future generations, to acknowledge the past and pave the way for healing. The overwhelming support from tribal leaders, through unanimous resolutions from bodies like the National Congress of American Indians, and endorsements from various faith communities, further attests to the broad societal demand for this commission.

The scope of the proposed Truth and Healing Commission would extend far beyond merely gathering testimonies. Torres explained that the multi-year endeavor would culminate in a series of recommendations aimed at supporting the holistic healing of Indian Country and fostering accountability among all actors who may have committed or witnessed wrongdoing. Crucially, it would mark the first time the U.S. federal government commits to a direct, personal engagement with boarding school survivors, allowing their voices to directly inform the nation’s subsequent steps toward reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of these lands. The commission is expected to generate a wealth of research and narratives, significantly enhancing collective understanding and social awareness among the broader U.S. population. This educational component is vital, as NABS has observed that greater public awareness often galvanizes individuals, both Native and non-Native, to become advocates for change, questioning how societal institutions can be more cognizant and honoring of this history’s profound impacts.

This commission’s work would, by design, be far more expansive than the Interior Department’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which produced "Volume One" and "Volume Two" reports. While those reports, spearheaded by Secretary Deb Haaland, herself a descendant of boarding school survivors, represented an essential first step in archival research and limited surveying, they merely "scratched the surface" of what is truly needed. The commission, Torres clarified, would move beyond archival data to include the direct, living voices of survivors, which are indispensable for developing meaningful policy recommendations and addressing the multifaceted impacts of these institutions.

The historical reluctance of the federal government to fully investigate this past has been a persistent challenge. Torres recounted how prior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the number of boarding schools, missing children, or deaths often yielded minimal information. This historical pattern of opacity contrasts sharply with the recent political moment, though challenges persist. He recalled how, under a previous administration, NABS saw a $250,000 grant for documenting oral histories rescinded, with officials citing a shift in priorities. Such actions, Torres noted, underscore a broader disinterest in truth-telling, revealing a concerning tendency to suppress historical narratives. However, he maintained that the truth about the boarding school era—a history impacting all Americans—transcends partisan politics. He emphasized that American taxpayers have a right to know how their funds were utilized to perpetuate violence against Native people for generations, asserting that accountability is not a partisan issue but a fundamental civic responsibility.

This suppression of history extends beyond funding cuts. Torres drew a parallel to recent efforts to remove historical signage from national parks that acknowledge the histories of enslaved people and Native populations. He condemned such actions as "entirely shameful," asserting that removing signs does not erase history, nor does changing narratives due to political power alter the profound impact of historical violence. True truth-telling, he argued, allows communities to stand together, bear witness to historical injustices, and collectively commit to preventing future atrocities. Conversely, moving away from an honest reckoning fosters an environment where campaigns of injustice can recur, eroding kinship and hindering genuine healing.

The legacy of forced family separation, central to the boarding school system, resonates with stark clarity in contemporary issues, particularly in immigration enforcement. NABS, headquartered in Minneapolis, has actively supported grassroots efforts responding to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the Twin Cities. Torres highlighted the direct link between the historical trauma of Native children being forcibly removed from their families and the current experiences of immigrant families facing separation. This connection, he explained, reveals history "coming full circle," manifesting in new forms but rooted in the same destructive patterns of state-sanctioned separation and violence. NABS’s engagement underscores their broader mission to support healing journeys, demand accountability, and confront division within communities, recognizing the deep hurt and woundedness that these historical and contemporary injustices inflict. This commission, therefore, represents not just an examination of the past, but a crucial step towards understanding and addressing the enduring consequences of these policies in the present, fostering a more just and informed future for all.