Bill 118 hr 7227, also known as the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024, is a proposed piece of legislation in the US Congress. The bill aims to establish a commission that will investigate and document the history and impact of Indian boarding schools in the United States.
Indian boarding schools were institutions that were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the goal of assimilating Native American children into white American culture. These schools were often run by religious organizations and the federal government, and many Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and communities to attend them.
The commission established by this bill would be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the policies and practices of Indian boarding schools, as well as their impact on Native American communities. The commission would also be responsible for holding public hearings, collecting testimony from survivors and descendants of boarding school students, and making recommendations for how the United States can address the legacy of these institutions.
Overall, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 seeks to acknowledge and address the historical trauma inflicted on Native American communities through the Indian boarding school system. By shining a light on this dark chapter in American history, the bill aims to promote healing and reconciliation for Native American individuals and communities.