Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Michigan backs away from Boarding Schools report

A 300-page report details the history and ongoing implications of Michigan’s role in the Indian Boarding School era. It includes dozens of interviews, public records, and a list of recommendations for state officials going forward. It details troubling accounts that have become familiar in the discussion about boarding schools — physical and sexual abuse of Native American students, oppressive methods to enforce assimilation, and limited accountability for anyone involved. But the state’s Department of Civil Rights is backing away from the report. After investing almost $1 million, the state is declining to release the final document to the public. It has since been posted online by the news site Bridge Michigan. We’ll talk to those involved about what is in the report and what it means that the state is not backing it.

We’ll also get perspective on the appointment of U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee/R-OK) as the Secretary of Homeland Security. We’ll hear from people who know and are familiar with his work as a longtime elected leader in Oklahoma.

GUESTS

April Lindala (Mohawk and Delaware), department head for Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University

Jo Ann Kauffman (Nez Perce), founder of Kauffman and Associates

Wes Nofire (Cherokee), former Oklahoma Native American Liaison, former Cherokee Nation council member, and former professional athlete

Allen Wright (Choctaw), president and founder of the Hustings Group

Ron French, senior writer at Bridge Michigan

 

Break 1 Music: Oshki Manitou (song) Chuck Copenace (artist) Oshki Manitou (album)

Break 2 Music: Place I Call Home (song) Native Roots (artist) A Place I Call Home (album)

 

Here’s more from our interview with Allen Wright (Choctaw). Wright describes the high-level of scrutiny Sen. Mullin faces with his nomination for Department of Homeland Security Secretary.