Washington, D.C. (October 29, 2024) – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) and its Chairman, Ernie Stevens, Jr., commend President Joe Biden for his historic and unprecedented apology to Indian Country. In it, Biden acknowledged the devastating impacts of the government-run boarding school system. This landmark recognition represents a critical step toward healing the profound wounds inflicted on Indigenous communities for more than 150 years.
On Friday, President Biden made a powerful statement: “The federal government has never formally apologized for what happened. I formally apologize as President of the United States of America for what we did. It’s long overdue.” This resolute acknowledgment confronts a dark and painful chapter in U.S.-Tribal Nation relations, where federal policies authorized the governmental-taking of Native children from their families with the goal of eradicating Indigenous cultural identities and facilitating the appropriation of Tribal lands and resources.
For over 150 years, the U.S. government operated more than 400 boarding schools, forcibly separating tens of thousands of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families. These children were subjected to an assimilation process that too often resulted in abuse, neglect, and even death.
President Biden rightly pointed out that most Americans remain unaware of the federal government’s role in one of the “most horrific chapters in American history…. The Federal Indian Boarding School policy and the pain it has caused will always be a significant mark of shame, a blot on American history…. [But] as I’ve said throughout my presidency, we must know the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a nation. That’s what great nations do. We’re a great nation. We’re the greatest of nations. We do not erase history; we make history. We learn from history and remember so we can heal as a nation.”
This groundbreaking apology stems from the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative spearheaded by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and their dedicated teams. Since its launch in June 2021, the Initiative has extensively consulted with Tribal leaders and conducted thorough historical research, leading to the release of two pivotal investigative reports in May 2022 and July 2024. These reports shine a light on a tragic history that encompasses the loss of many children and highlights the ongoing tragedy of burial sites found on school grounds.
Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. expressed profound gratitude for President Biden’s “courageous and heartfelt apology to Indian Country,” emphasizing that recognizing these deep-rooted injustices is not simply a gesture but an essential step toward genuine healing. He stated, “This apology is a commitment to righting the historical wrongs faced by Indigenous peoples and paves the way for meaningful dialogue and reconciliation.” Stevens poignantly reflected on his grandmother, Maria Hinton, a survivor of the boarding school system, highlighting her resilience: “My Grandmother would be so appreciative of the PresidePresidentm a Kindergarten student taken from her family to boarding school right in the Oneida community to high school, she endured the hardship of relocation to five different schools, four of which were far from home.”
Despite the pain she carried, Stevens noted, “My grandmother rarely discussed the struggle of her boarding school life; she took the best of her education and made it clear that she left the struggle of boarding school behind and moved on with her life.”
“Acknowledging these grave injustices is not merely a formality but a vital step toward healing. This apology is a commitment to righting the historical wrongs faced by Indigenous peoples, paving the way for healing and meaningful dialogue and reconciliation.”
The IGA believes this serves as a rallying cry for federal and state governments to take decisive action. It emphasizes the urgent need for ongoing support for initiatives that empower Indigenous peoples and promote their rights.
“The government sought to destroy our language, culture, and way of life. We know that they failed. We persevered. Our ancestors fought, and many gave their lives to protect our way of life. This formal apology from the President of the United States empowers us to move forward. We call upon all stakeholders to engage in collaborative dialogues that foster understanding and facilitate reparative actions,” added Stevens. “Together, we can build a future where Indigenous cultures are not just acknowledged but celebrated and revered.”
The Indian Gaming Association remains unwavering in its commitment to advocate for the rights of Tribal nations, ensuring that their voices are essential in policy discussions that affect their communities. Chairman Stevens urges all leaders to reaffirm their dedication to strengthening Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the federal government.