Biden Issues Historic Apology for Native American Boarding Schools

President Biden's formal apology marks a significant step in acknowledging the U.S. government's role in the forced assimilation of Indigenous children.

• President Biden delivered the first official U.S. government apology for the Native American boarding school policy at an event in Arizona.
• The boarding school system, which operated for over 150 years, aimed to assimilate Indigenous children by removing them from their families and erasing their cultural identities.
• The apology follows an investigation led by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, which uncovered nearly 1,000 deaths of Native children and numerous burial sites.
• Indigenous leaders and advocates emphasize the need for tangible actions and reparations to accompany the apology, drawing parallels to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation efforts.
• The event was briefly interrupted by a protester criticizing U.S. policy in Gaza, highlighting ongoing political tensions as Biden nears the end of his presidency.

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