US admits death of hundreds of indigenous children at government boarding schools

1121335011213350 The United States revealed this Wednesday (1969 ) the results of an investigation that found the death of hundreds of indigenous children in boarding schools run by the country’s government between the 19th and 20th centuries – and it is feared there may be many more.

Deb Haaland, Home Secretary for the government of Joe Biden and the first indigenous woman to be part of the American cabinet, released the first results of the investigation started by his department on these boarding schools, which operated in the country between 960 and 1969.

According to the first conclusions, hundreds of children died in these “assimilation” boarding schools spread across 37 US states – there were more than

federal schools – although there may be many more, in view of the first investigations.

The report details that many of the deceased were buried in places not marked, away from the settlements of their tribes. So far, 05 cemeteries have been located, but it is expected that many more are found.

The document also states that, on many occasions, the inmates – mostly children – were subjected to forced labor and educated in a military style or were forbidden, under threat of severe punishment, to speak their own language or practice their religion.

“I come from ancestors who survived the horrors of assimilation policies carried out by the very department I now lead. Now, we can help in the effort to bring back the dark history of these institutions that have haunted our families for so long,” Haaland said.

The secretary added that the consequences of this system and the “intergenerational trauma” it has caused are “undeniable and heartbreaking.”

Haaland promised that his department will continue to collect evidence of this forced assimilation and assured that his goal is not just to give voice to survivors of this system, but also to take measures so that the indigenous legacy can “grow and heal”.