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Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025
8/12/2025, 5:26 PM
Summary of Bill S 761
The bill seeks to create a Truth and Healing Commission that will be responsible for investigating and documenting the impact of Indian boarding school policies in the United States. These policies, which were implemented in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, forcibly removed Native American children from their families and communities and placed them in boarding schools where they were often subjected to abuse, neglect, and forced assimilation.
The commission will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the policies and practices of Indian boarding schools, as well as their long-term effects on Native American communities. It will also be responsible for collecting testimonies from survivors and their families, as well as gathering historical documents and records related to the boarding school system. In addition to its investigative duties, the commission will also be responsible for making recommendations for healing and reconciliation, as well as proposing legislative and policy changes to address the ongoing impact of Indian boarding school policies on Native American communities. Overall, Bill 119 s 761 represents a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices inflicted upon Native American communities through the Indian boarding school system, and towards promoting healing and reconciliation for those affected.
Congressional Summary of S 761
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025
This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States within the legislative branch 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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 761
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 761
Total Number of Sponsors
12Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
12Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
77Democrat Cosponsors
73Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
4Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 761
Primary Policy Focus
Native AmericansPotential Impact Areas
Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 761
Comments
Milan Robertson
4 months ago
Why do we need this bill? Who benefits from it?
Aya McGee
4 months ago
This bill is so dumb, it's like they want to rewrite history or something. Why are we wasting time and money on this when there are more important issues to focus on? It's just a bunch of nonsense if you ask me. I don't see how this is going to help anyone, it's just stirring up trouble for no reason. I can't believe they actually passed this, it's ridiculous.
Jairo Honeycutt
4 months ago
I can't believe this new bill that's trying to do something about those Indian boarding schools. It's just a waste of time and money. Why should we be focusing on something that happened so long ago? It's not like it's going to change anything now. This is just another example of the government getting involved where they shouldn't be. It's ridiculous. The big picture here is that this bill is just a distraction from real issues that need to be addressed.
Trinity Cline
4 months ago
I'm not sure about this bill, but I don't think it's a good idea. It seems like it could cause more harm than good. I don't see how it would benefit anyone, especially me.
Astrid Carey
3 months ago
This bill bad for us.
Koa Best
9 months ago
I can't believe this bill is trying to force us to face the truth about what happened in Indian boarding schools. It's ridiculous that they think we need a commission to investigate something that happened so long ago. Why should I have to deal with the consequences of something that happened before I was even born? Who is really affected by this bill anyway?
Salem Moore
4 months ago
I ain't too happy about this new bill. It's gonna mess with things and cause a lot of confusion. I don't see how it's gonna help anyone in the long run. This whole thing just seems like a waste of time and money. I hope it doesn't end up causing more problems than it solves. Short term, I think it's gonna be a headache for everyone involved.
