President Biden is set to issue a formal presidential apology to Native American communities in Arizona for the atrocities committed against Indigenous people during the era of federal Indian boarding schools. The apology is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT at the Gila River Indian Community.
From 1819 through the 1970s, the federal government and religious institutions operated boarding schools to assimilate Indigenous children into White American culture. Many students faced emotional and physical abuse, with hundreds dying at these schools. President Biden stated, “Make a formal apology to the Indian nations for the way we treated their children for so many years.”
The Department of the Interior, led by Deb Haaland, revealed over 500 deaths of Indigenous children at 19 boarding schools and identified 53 burial sites. The religious institutions often administered corporal punishment, including solitary confinement and withholding food.
Haaland, whose family was impacted by boarding schools, emphasized the importance of recognizing this dark chapter in history. Watch President Biden’s remarks live on CBS News on Friday.
How to watch President Biden’s remarks at the Gila River Indian Community
- What: President Biden delivers an apology for atrocities at federal Indian boarding schools.
- Date: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
- Time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
- Location: Gila River Indian Community in Arizona
- Online stream: Live on CBS News on your mobile or streaming device.