Voices of Healing: The Oral History Project Documenting Indigenous Boarding School Experiences
In the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a significant initiative is coming to a close. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has been spearheading an oral history project, capturing the voices and stories of Indigenous boarding school survivors. This endeavor has collected over 360 testimonies from survivors across 19 states, preserving these vital narratives in the Library of Congress.
Among those who shared their stories is Iona Mad Plume, a Blackfeet woman from Montana. Reflecting on her time at Pierre Indian School in South Dakota, she shared, “I got a lot out of that, pretty much a lot of closure.” Her memories, once haunting, are now part of a documented history that she hopes will provide healing.
Similarly, Gene Bozicic from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians recounted her experience at the Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Michigan. At 81, she expressed gratitude for the project, stating, “I hate to see it coming to an end, because they have given me my backbone back.”
Understanding the Legacy of Systemic Abuse
Launched in March 2024, the oral history project is a collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior. Its mission is to illuminate the systemic abuse within boarding schools, a grim chapter in history marked by forced assimilation policies. These policies, starting in the 1800s, impacted generations of Native families.
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo member, initiated the Road to Healing listening tour. Her efforts revealed harrowing evidence of nearly 1,000 Native children buried at school sites. The reported abuses, including physical and sexual violence, underscore the cultural genocide attempts within these institutions.
As the oral history project progressed, adjustments were made to better support the participants. Lacey Kinnart from the coalition noted, “Our elders don’t want to be a burden, but they really do need that extra support.” The addition of quiet rooms and mental health professionals were crucial enhancements to the process.
Preserving Stories for Future Generations
The video interviews will eventually be made available to the public, with survivors retaining control over their stories’ disclosure. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition aims to continue their work, with future projects promising to be more comprehensive and inclusive.
For descendants like Desiray Emerton, documenting these stories holds personal significance. “I know time’s running out for those who did go through that personally,” she said, emphasizing the importance of capturing these narratives for posterity.
This story is published through the Global Indigenous Reporting Network at The Associated Press.
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