Last week, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) and Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), hosted and spoke at a lunch and learn presented by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
At the event, the Representatives spoke about the importance of their legislation, H.R. 7227, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024, which would establish a formal commission to investigate, document, and report on the histories and injustices of Indian Boarding Schools, as well as the impacts they had on Native communities. Moses Brings Plenty, who plays “Mo” on Yellowstone, Kaniehtiio Horn, who plays “Deer Lady” on Reservation Dogs, and Chief Benjamin Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe also spoke and shared their own personal stories about the abuses they or their family members experienced at Indian Boarding Schools, of which nearly 83 percent of Native children were attending by 1926.
“It was an honor to not only spread awareness about Indian Boarding Schools, but also provide a venue for survivors and organizations like the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition to share their stories and important work. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, it is not lost on me the duty I have to educate and fight for these issues and to bring light to this dark chapter in our nation’s history. Establishing this Commission will hopefully bring these communities one step closer to healing and peace for themselves, their families, and future generations,” said Congressman Cole.
“Last week’s event honoring our ancestors brought together survivors, Tribal leaders, and advocates to help inform policy-makers and congressional staff about the devastating impacts of Indian boarding schools. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, Rep. Cole and I are working hard to ensure our colleagues in Congress hear directly from Native communities about these traumas. If children were able to endure and survive the Indian boarding school era, then we should be able to find it in ourselves to fully investigate what happened to our relatives and work towards a brighter path for the next seven generations,” said Congresswoman Davids.
To watch the presentations from the event, click here.
To read more about the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024, click here.
