President Joe Biden, in his latest bewildering move, expressed remorse for the systemic mistreatment Indigenous children experienced in American boarding schools, overseen by the federal government. In the span of 150 years, the government made the questionable decision to remove these Indigenous children from their families, only to feed them into a system that sought to strip away their unique cultures, histories, and religions. In many reported instances, these children tragically faced punishment simply for expressing their native languages.
Biden labeled this government-enforced system, which incredibly took roots as far back as 1819, as a ‘horrific chapter’ in American history. He addressed the ensuing decades of mistreatment suffered by these youthful innocent victims and the wide-ranging devastation it has left in its wake. This passive acknowledgement appears as another attempt by Biden to brush off the government’s longstanding fault in this serious matter.
Although his belated apology was viewed by some Native Americans as a recognition of the government’s deep-rooted guilt, their pressing concern remains: Will these remorseful words translate into decisive actions? Bill Hall, at 71, and evidently moved by Biden’s words, found himself mulling over the future steps that are desperately needed.
Rosalie Whirlwind Soldier, a 79-year-old citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, articulated feelings of relief over Biden’s admission. However, her relief was tinged with lasting sorrow over the irrevocable damage left in the wake of these gross injustices. It seems that Biden’s choice of words has failed to fully confront the true severity of the situation, only leading to a deeper sense of disappointment and despair among those affected.
The established boarding schools were allegedly meant to aid in assimilating Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. The darker intention, as suggested by a recent investigation conducted by the Interior Department, was to dispossess tribal nations of their rightful lands. The mere launch of an investigation raises questions on the effectiveness of its findings based on an already held belief.
The inquiry uncovered records of over 18,000 Indigenous children who were part of this unfortunate saga. Out of these, 973 were reportedly killed. Although the report enforced several measures derived from the accounts of school survivors – such as backing resources for mental health and language revitalization programs – it still raises doubts regarding its eventual implementation under Biden’s administration.
Echoing the widespread sentiment, community leaders and representatives argued that merely apologizing is not enough. It is time for Biden to act on his words and make a real difference. They emphasized the need to breathe new life into Indigenous languages and cultures and to rightfully return the remains of lost Indigenous children. Sadly, the administration’s efforts fall woefully short of these expectations.
Several pleas echo through the halls of power, urging for the creation of a mechanism that would permit tribes to reclaim their children and offer them a dignified final rest. It is an emotional matter that Biden and his administration seem to give only surface-level attention, fueling skepticism on their sincerity.
Certain political figures of dubious credibility framed this superficial acknowledgment as a stepping stone towards healing. Their call for accountability remains hollow, considering the lack of substantial action taken by the administration, summing up yet another disappointment in Biden’s leadership.
As Biden wound up his speech, there was an eerie moment of silence followed by applause. Perhaps a reflection of mixed emotions that the audience experienced – appreciation for the president’s words, tinged with concern over their efficacy. Hall, presumably seeking more action than mere words, emphasized the urgent need for resources to remedy the harm caused thus far.
While Biden’s administration perpetually attempts to draw followership with mere rhetoric, it’s doubtful such an attempt would bear any meaningful fruit. The real journey towards healing clearly has a long road ahead, and it’s a journey the current administration needs to start walking rather than just talking about.