Biden Honors Indigenous Tribes with New Carlisle Monument

Biden Honors Indigenous Tribes with New Carlisle Monument \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Joe Biden designated the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Pennsylvania to honor the resilience of Native American tribes and highlight the tragic history of forced assimilation policies. The monument marks the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where over 10,000 Indigenous children suffered abuse under policies aiming to erase Native traditions. This new designation is part of ongoing efforts to address the historical trauma faced by Indigenous communities.

Carlisle Indian School National Monument: Quick Look

• Historic Designation: Biden named the Carlisle Indian Boarding School site a national monument during a tribal summit.
• Boarding School Legacy: Over 10,000 Native children attended the school, many forcibly removed from families.
• Tragic Losses: At least 187 children died at Carlisle; efforts to return remains continue.
• Cultural Erasure: Schools aimed to “civilize” children, punishing them for using native languages and traditions.
• Official Apology: Biden apologized for assimilation policies; Interior Secretary Deb Haaland supports reconciliation efforts.
• Monument Details: The 25-acre site will be managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Army.
• Wider Advocacy: Native tribes and conservation groups seek further monument designations.

Deep Look

Honoring Indigenous Resilience

President Joe Biden announced the designation of the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Pennsylvania, aiming to preserve the history and lessons of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Opened in 1879 as the first federally run boarding school for Native Americans, the institution became infamous for its harsh assimilation practices. More than 10,000 Indigenous children were sent to the school before it closed in 1918, including notable figures such as Olympian Jim Thorpe.

The monument is part of Biden’s broader initiative to address historical injustices faced by Native American communities. During the announcement at a summit of tribal leaders, Biden emphasized the importance of ensuring this “shameful chapter of American history” is neither forgotten nor repeated.

Forced Assimilation Policies

The Carlisle Indian Industrial School symbolized the U.S. government’s efforts to assimilate Native American children into white society. Children were often taken from their families against their parents’ will and subjected to physical, emotional, and cultural abuse. Many endured harsh punishments for speaking their native languages or practicing their traditions. The assimilation campaign sought to erase Indigenous identities, stripping children of their cultural heritage.

Tragically, 187 Native children died at Carlisle from diseases like tuberculosis, with many buried on the school’s grounds. Efforts to repatriate their remains are ongoing; in September 2023, the remains of three children were returned to the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana.

Acknowledgment and Apology

The Biden administration has taken significant steps to confront the legacy of boarding schools. In October, Biden issued an official apology on behalf of the U.S. government for the policies that supported these institutions. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, herself a descendant of boarding school survivors, has led efforts to address the lasting trauma caused by these schools.

Haaland acknowledged that no single action could fully heal the harm inflicted, but praised the monument as a critical step toward education and reconciliation. “This trauma is not new to Indigenous people, but it is new for many people in our nation,” she said, underscoring the importance of public awareness.

Federal and Religious Roles

According to an investigation by the Interior Department, at least 973 Native children died at government-funded boarding schools operating over a span of 150 years. These institutions received $23.3 billion (adjusted for inflation) in federal funding, with religious and private organizations often serving as partners in the assimilation campaign.

Public listening sessions held by the Interior Department revealed harrowing accounts from survivors, who described being beaten, forced to cut their hair, and punished for maintaining their cultural practices. The policies officially ended with the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978, but their impacts remain deeply felt across Indigenous communities.

Monument Details and Future Advocacy

The newly created monument spans 25 acres of the former boarding school site, which now serves as part of the U.S. Army War College campus. Managed jointly by the National Park Service and the U.S. Army, the site will preserve the history of the Carlisle School while serving as a place of reflection and learning for future generations.

This is the seventh national monument created by Biden, reflecting his administration’s commitment to recognizing Indigenous history and conservation. Native American tribes and environmental groups continue to advocate for additional monument designations before Biden’s term ends.

Conclusion

The designation of the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument is a powerful acknowledgment of the resilience of Native American communities and the need for reconciliation. By preserving the site’s history, the Biden administration hopes to ensure the lessons of this dark chapter in American history are remembered and shared.

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