This week AIPI staff attended NCAI’s 2021 Mid Year Conference, where Secretary Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. The timely announcement was welcomed. According to Haaland, this comprehensive review of federal boarding schools will leave no stone unturned. Historical records, boarding school facilities, and known and possible student burial sites will be examined as part of the process of addressing the historical trauma brought about by these institutions. This will include identifying and determining the Tribal-affiliation of children buried at these institutions. More details can be found in Secretary Haaland’s memo. For AIPI’s Executive Director, Secretary Haaland’s endeavor is not unexpected.
“We’ve always known that...