President Biden’s Historic Apology to Native American Communities
On Friday, President Biden made a significant visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, where he delivered a heartfelt and formal apology on behalf of the United States government for the grievous mistreatment of generations of Native American children. These children were forcibly removed from their families in an effort to eradicate their culture, history, and language.
During his address, President Biden condemned the federal government’s actions, labeling them “a sin on our soul.” He expressed his commitment to making amends for the past, particularly regarding the government’s policy of taking Native American children from their homes and placing them in boarding schools. Many of these children faced severe abuse and neglect, which tragically led to numerous deaths.
“The federal government has never, never formally apologized for what happened — until today,” President Biden stated to a supportive audience that included families directly impacted by these historical injustices. “I formally apologize as president of the United States of America for what we did. I formally apologize. It’s long overdue.”
Biden acknowledged the prolonged delay in issuing the apology, saying, “Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years to make.” He recognized that while the apology is a crucial step, it cannot fully compensate for the immense losses suffered during the dark era of the federal boarding school policy. “I know no apology can or will make up for what was lost during that time,” he said. “But today, we’re finally moving forward into the light.”
This landmark visit was the culmination of years of research and discussion by the Biden administration, particularly spearheaded by Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as interior secretary. Her personal connection to the issue is significant, as her own family experienced the repercussions of this tragic practice, which persisted from the early 1800s until the late 1960s.
A comprehensive investigative report released by her department in July revealed that at least 19,000 Native children were taken to federal boarding schools, with nearly 1,000 of them losing their lives while attending. In addition to the apology, the report made several recommendations, including:
- Establishing a national memorial to honor the deceased children and educate the public about this dark chapter in history;
- Investing in research to understand the impact of these policies and assisting Native communities in healing from intergenerational trauma;
- Revitalizing and preserving Native languages to ensure cultural continuity.
Through this important gesture, President Biden not only acknowledged the past but also laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and respectful future, aiming to foster healing and reconciliation with Native American communities across the nation.
