Quote from Alex bobby on December 11, 2024, 4:03 AM

Honoring History: Biden Establishes National Monument at Carlisle Indian School Site

President Joe Biden has taken a significant step in acknowledging and confronting the painful legacy of Indian boarding schools in the United States. On Monday, he announced the creation of a new national monument at the site of the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, a place emblematic of the U.S. government’s assimilationist policies towards Native American communities.

Speaking at the 2024 Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, Biden underscored the importance of remembrance and education. “I want everyone to know,” he said. “I don't want people forgetting, 10, 20, 30, 50 years from now.” His declaration aims to ensure the nation confronts its history, learns from it, and never repeats the injustices of the past.

The Legacy of the Carlisle Indian School

Founded in 1879, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School served as a model for hundreds of similar institutions that sought to assimilate Native American children into Western culture. Children from 140 tribes were forcibly taken from their families and homelands, enduring years of separation and cultural erasure. The school's motto, "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," exemplified its destructive mission.

Biden acknowledged this dark chapter in U.S. history, stating, “It was wrong, and by making the Carlisle Indian School a national monument, we make clear that [that's] what great nations do. We don't erase history. We acknowledge it. We learn from and we remember, so we never repeat it.”

A Monument to Healing and Remembrance

The new monument will encompass 10 hectares (24.5 acres) within the Carlisle Army Barracks, which today houses the U.S. Army War College. Historic buildings and structures from the school's campus, including the brick and marble gateposts hand-built by Carlisle students in 1910, will be preserved as part of the monument.

Operational control of the site will remain with the U.S. Army, but the National Park Service will oversee planning and management in collaboration with federally recognized tribes. This partnership ensures that the monument reflects the historical and ongoing impacts of the boarding school system on Native communities.

Chuck Sams, Director of the National Park Service and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, described the monument as a vital step in honoring Tribal sovereignty and fostering healing. “This addition to the national park system that recognizes the troubled history of U.S. and Tribal relations is among the giant steps taken in recent years to honor Tribal sovereignty and recognize the ongoing needs of Native communities,” he said.

Confronting a Troubled Past

The announcement follows Biden’s recent visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, where he offered a long-overdue apology for the boarding school era. During that visit, Biden called the apology “one of the most consequential things I've ever had an opportunity to do in my whole career as president.”

The boarding school era was marked by immense trauma and loss. A two-volume report from the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, launched by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in May 2021, documented the existence of 417 known schools and confirmed over 900 child deaths. The initiative also included "The Road to Healing," a listening tour in which Haaland and Assistant Interior Secretary Bryan Newland visited 12 Native communities to hear survivors' stories.

“So many of you spoke bravely and forthright[ly] … about the horrors you endured or the trauma that was passed down over generations. Those stories must continue to be told,” Haaland said during the summit.

Preserving Stories for Future Generations

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the stories of boarding school survivors are preserved, the Interior Department has partnered with the National Native Boarding School Healing Coalition to conduct video interviews with survivors. These oral histories will be archived by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, making them accessible to the public.

“This is about ensuring that future generations understand the truth,” Haaland said. “We owe it to the survivors, their descendants, and the Native communities still grappling with this legacy.”

A Step Towards Reconciliation

The Carlisle Indian School national monument represents a critical acknowledgment of the U.S. government’s role in the cultural and generational trauma inflicted on Native American communities. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it stands as a symbol of remembrance, education, and commitment to reconciliation.

Biden’s actions at the summit highlight the importance of reckoning with the past while forging a path toward healing and understanding. By preserving the stories of survivors and creating spaces for reflection, the nation takes steps to honor its history and its responsibility to Native communities.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Carlisle Indian School national monument marks a significant milestone in the United States' journey toward reckoning with its historical injustices against Native American communities. While it cannot erase the trauma and harm caused by the boarding school era, this monument ensures that the stories of those who suffered and survived will not be forgotten. It is a powerful symbol of remembrance, education, and healing—a commitment to learning from the past to build a more inclusive and just future. By confronting this painful chapter, the nation takes a meaningful step toward reconciliation, honoring the resilience of Native communities and paving the way for a legacy of understanding and respect.