Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership.

Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools).

Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.

Bill 118 s 1723, also known as the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to establish a commission that will investigate and document the history and impact of Indian boarding schools in the United States.

The bill acknowledges the long-standing history of Indian boarding schools in the US, which 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 these schools.

The commission established by this bill will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the policies and practices of Indian boarding schools, including the physical, emotional, and cultural impact on Native American children and their families. The commission will also be responsible for documenting the stories and experiences of individuals who attended these schools, as well as their descendants. Furthermore, the bill calls for the commission to make recommendations for how the federal government can address the historical trauma and ongoing impact of Indian boarding schools on Native American communities. This may include recommendations for reparations, educational initiatives, and other forms of support for affected individuals and communities. Overall, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2023 seeks to shine a light on a dark chapter in American history and provide a platform for healing and reconciliation for Native American communities impacted by the legacy of Indian boarding schools.