Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States within the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership.Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools).Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.
The Commission will encompass various advisory committees and subcommittees, including representatives from federal agencies, religious institutions, and Native communities. This collaboration is intended to provide a holistic approach to investigations, ensuring that the voices and experiences of those impacted by Indian Boarding School Policies are duly represented. The findings and recommendations produced by the Commission are expected to influence federal policies and programs aimed at facilitating healing and addressing the repercussions of historical injustices faced by Native Americans.
SB761, known as the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025, seeks to establish a Commission that will investigate the historical and ongoing impacts of Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States. The purpose of the Commission includes formally documenting the histories associated with these boarding schools and their implications for Native American communities. Central to its role will be generating recommendations based on its findings aimed at promoting healing and awareness among survivors and descendants of these policies.
There may be points of contention with regard to the Commission's findings and recommendations, particularly around the extent of reparations or policy changes needed. Critics may question the efficacy of federal intervention and the potential for these measures to disrupt existing social structures. Moreover, there will likely be discussions around how to effectively incorporate traditional practices and values of Native communities into broader federal and state policies designed to assist survivors of the boarding schools. This ongoing dialogue will be crucial in shaping legislation and community relations moving forward.