In observance of National Day of Remembrance for Indian boarding schools, Native American Caucus Chair Rion Ramirez and Coalitions Director for Native Americans Theresa Sheldon released the following statement: 

“Today we reflect on the lives lost and intergenerational trauma caused by federal Indian boarding school policies of the past — pain made worse by a lack of accountability and information about policies that separated children from their families and suppressed their connection to their own identities.  

“We also give thanks to the leadership of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland, who today announced the Interior Department would begin Tribal consultations as part of the new Federal Boarding School Initiative, which directs a report to be made with existing historical records to uncover the truth and help heal affected communities.

“Democrats stand in support of our Native brothers and sisters as this long-awaited investigation moves forward, and we await the critical conversations and discoveries from this crucial and timely process.”