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
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.
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
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.
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.
Biden Honors
You must Register or Login to post a comment.