UltraViolet Applauds Secretary Deb Haaland’s Announcement to Address Traumatic Legacy of Indigenous Boarding Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro, anna@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Applauds Secretary Deb Haaland’s Announcement to Address Traumatic Legacy of Indigenous Boarding Schools
WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced plans for the federal government to begin reconciling its legacy of forced boarding schools for Indigenous children and their harmful impacts on generations of Indigenous families and communities.
The news comes less than a month after the bodies of 215 children were unearthed at one of Canada’s largest Indigenous boarding schools.
In response to the news, Bridget Todd, director of communications at UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, issued the following statement:
“It is beyond time for the federal government to begin reconciling the legacy of white supremacy and colonialism in America. For over 150 years, hundreds of thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their parents, communities, and forced into assimilationist boarding schools.
“We commend Secretary Haaland’s announcement to start reconciling our nation’s deeply troubled legacy. Today is a hopeful reminder that progress and healing are possible when we amplify and support the leadership of Indigenous women.
“We are grateful to Secretary Haaland and all the Indigenous organizers who worked to create the conditions for this important step forward.”
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