Establishes a commission to investigate the historical impact of Native American boarding schools, create advisory committees, and ensure respectful handling of Native American cultural items and remains.
Lisa Murkowski
Senator
AK
This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States to investigate the historical and ongoing effects of these policies on Native American communities, including forming advisory committees and addressing the handling of Native American cultural items and remains. The commission will conduct a comprehensive review, gather testimony, and recommend actions for the federal government to acknowledge its role and promote public awareness. It also ensures the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items from Indian Boarding Schools. The bill allocates \$90 million to fund the activities of the Commission and Subcommittee.
New Bill Launches Truth and Healing Commission for Indian Boarding School Era: $90M Allocated for Investigation and Reconciliation Efforts
The federal government is taking a major step toward addressing a dark chapter in American history with a new bill focused on Indian Boarding School Policies. This legislation establishes a Truth and Healing Commission to fully investigate the devastating impact of these schools on Native American communities, backed by $90 million in funding.
Facing the Past
The core of the bill (Title I) is the creation of this Commission. It's tasked with digging deep into historical records, gathering personal testimonies, and assessing the lasting cultural, social, and economic damage caused by these policies. Think of it as a long-overdue official investigation into a system that forcibly separated Native American children from their families and cultures. The Commission will also have a dedicated Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee, ensuring that the voices of those who experienced these schools firsthand are central to the process. This isn't just about studying the past; the Commission is mandated to recommend concrete actions for the federal government, including acknowledging its role, changing relevant laws, boosting public awareness, and addressing burial sites related to the schools.
Voices at the Table
Title II sets up two advisory committees to make sure this isn't just a top-down effort. The Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee will have 19 members representing various tribes and organizations, giving direct input to the Commission. Alongside this, the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee brings together 20 members from different federal agencies and religious institutions. Their job is to coordinate efforts, help gather information, and consult with Native communities. Interestingly, some standard transparency regulations (like the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act) won't apply to the Federal and Religious committee – a point that might raise eyebrows, but is intended to facilitate open communication.
Respect and Repatriation
Title III tackles the sensitive issue of handling cultural items and remains, especially those connected to Indian Boarding Schools. It makes it crystal clear that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) does apply to these items, overriding any previous interpretations. This is a big deal for ensuring that tribes have a say in what happens to these objects and ancestral remains. The bill also allows for reburial on Federal land if all parties agree, and it lets Federal agencies team up with tribes to co-manage cemeteries or former school sites. One important note: the bill specifically states it can't be used as the basis for any lawsuits.
This bill represents a significant move toward acknowledging and addressing a painful legacy. While the lack of enforcement power for the Commission's recommendations and some potential for political maneuvering are worth watching, the overall aim is clear: to uncover the truth, promote healing, and, hopefully, prevent similar injustices from happening again.