Consider This from NPR Investigating The Tragic History Of Federal Indian Boarding Schools
May 21, 2022
The podcast reveals the shocking discovery of 215 unmarked graves of Indigenous children in Canada, echoing a dark history shared by the U.S. and Canada. Personal survivor stories highlight the trauma and abuse experienced in federal Indian boarding schools. Secretary Haaland discusses over 400 schools in the U.S. under investigation, emphasizing the need for healing and acknowledgment. Efforts like The Road to Healing initiative aim to amplify survivor voices and document their experiences. The episode serves as a call for recognition of these historical injustices.
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Ramona's Story
- Ramona Charette Klein, a boarding school survivor, recounted her traumatic experience at Fort Totten Indian School.
- She was taken from her mother at seven, along with six of her siblings, and suffered physical and sexual abuse.
Boarding School's Purpose
- Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, highlights the historical context of boarding schools, linking them to land theft and cultural genocide.
- The intention was to assimilate Indigenous children into white society, effectively erasing their heritage.
Haaland's Family History
- Secretary Haaland's maternal grandparents were forced into government-run boarding schools from ages eight to thirteen.
- This personal connection fuels her commitment to the investigation and healing initiatives.