Last Friday, during his visit to the Gila River Indian Reservation near Phoenix, President Joe Biden made history by formally apologizing for the U.S. government’s punitive and degrading Indian boarding school policies which have been haunting Native communities for over 150 years. This apology acknowledges the systemic effort to strip Native children of their cultures and languages through aggressive assimilation tactics, leaving scars still felt today.
"I formally apologize, as President of the United States of America, for what we did," Biden declared to the audience, which was composed of more than 1,000 tribal and community members. He expressed regret over the lasting damage caused by federal boarding schools—a painful legacy often overlooked or misrepresented throughout American history. By describing the boarding school initiative as "a significant mark of shame, a blot on American history," he reinforced the necessity of acknowledging the past to begin healing.
This historic apology is not just about words; it’s part of a larger acknowledgment of wrongs committed against Indigenous peoples by the federal government. The policies, first established under the Indian Civilization Act of 1819, facilitated the establishment of boarding schools where Native children, as young as four years old, were forcibly taken from their families. The goal was clear: to “kill the Indian, and save the man.”
"We know much about the trauma inflicted — children were made to feel ashamed of speaking their language or practicing their culture," Biden noted. The reality behind these institutions involved harsh punishments, neglect, and various forms of abuse, with the traumatic effects extending throughout generations.
Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, who shared the stage with Biden, offered powerful support to the president’s remarks. The first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior, Haaland emphasized, "This is the first time we’ve had such acknowledgment at the federal level. We need to face our past to pave the way for justice and healing."
This momentous event was the culmination of extensive efforts spearheaded by Haaland after she initiated the Federal Boarding School Initiative. Launched in 2021, the initiative was made to document the injustices linked to the boarding school system—an effort leading to insights even more painful than many initially understood. According to the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report, at least 973 Indigenous children died during their time at these schools, with unmarked graves still being discovered today.
The audience greeted Biden’s announcement with applause and cheers, reflecting both hope and skepticism. While the apology was welcomed, several community representatives called for actionable steps beyond words. Take, for example, Crystal Echo Hawk, CEO of IllumiNative, who articulated, "This apology is significant, but it must be the beginning of accountability and reparations for the Native communities impacted by this horrific legacy."
An array of tribal leaders voiced their support as well as concerns. Brian Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, expressed, "It’s unconscionable how deeply the boarding school policies have scarred our world. The apology is the right step forward, but we must now pursue legislative actions to support healing efforts across communities." />
Conversely, opposition remains among certain individuals. Edgar Villanueva, founder of the Decolonizing Wealth Project, underscored the need for substantive reparations, insisting, "An apology does not equate to justice or healing. We need real commitment and investments from the federal government to repair the damage done."
At the heart of this apology lies the persistent need for healing and reconciliation within Native communities. Many survivors are still alive and bear the burden of their traumatic past, often sharing harrowing stories of their time spent within these institutions. Others, like Chase Iron Eyes from the Lakota People’s Law Project, voiced caution over the effectiveness of mere acknowledgments without tangible efforts aimed at reparative justice.
Haaland herself emphasized the importance of preserving Native languages and cultures moving forward, positing education as key to continued healing. "We are working with various departments to support language revitalization, education and cultural preservation efforts for Native communities to thrive,” she explained during the ceremony.
This event came just over two years after Pope Francis issued his own apology concerning the residential school failures faced by Indigenous Canadians, which sparked dialogue on similar issues within the U.S. The contrasting reactions reveal the complexity surrounding these discussions; some embrace these apologies as steps forward, whereas others feel they merely scratch the surface of deep-rooted issues.
Several responders, such as Crystal Echo Hawk and Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, reflected mixed feelings, viewing the apology through lenses not only of hope but also of the long path still required to attain justice.
“It’s bittersweet,” shared Nygren, recalling the trauma inflicted upon countless families. “This apology serves as recognition of our history, but many will always carry the weight of what they lost, many of whom are no longer with us.”
The narrative surrounding U.S. boarding schools continues to evolve, with advocates pushing for legislation to formally recognize wrongs of the past. Senator Lisa Murkowski remarked, "The path toward healing is collaborative, and this apology reinforces our commitment to support Indigenous communities. We must also amplify voices advocating for the establishment of truth and healing commissions as tangible next steps."
The recent apology signals the U.S. government’s willingness to engage with its fractured history but also serves as open ground for dialogue among those seeking restorative measures. Many agree, it’s only the first step—the true measure of commitment will lie in future actions taken to support Indigenous communities significantly traumatized by a history of neglect, marginalization, and abuse.
With growing public support and legislative moves toward healing and justice, many hold hope for meaningful progress. Despite identifying the historical trauma, the recognition through apologies must align with actions translating sentiment to substance for real change.
President Biden’s efforts mark a significant moment for Indigenous communities, yet the road forward remains fraught with both challenges and the possibility for substantive healing.
