"There's not enough money and not enough apologies out there for the harm that happened"
-Mary Pavel, Staff Director of US Senate Committee of Indian Affairs
-Mary Pavel, Staff Director of US Senate Committee of Indian Affairs
Legacy
Irrevocable Loss
The Indian Boarding Schools have left an irreversible mark on American Indian history. The loss of language, religion, family and culture that it caused can never be undone.
Has the U.S. government upheld its responsibility in preserving the right to culture?
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What have the Lasting Effects of Boarding Schools been on American Indians?
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"Where today are the Pequot, Narraganset, Mohican, Pokanet and many other such powerful tribes? They have vanished before the avarice and oppression of the white man."
- Tecumseh
"[I]n most of the school today, they are trying to revive all of the traditions of the various tribes. They are trying to teach basket weaving and beadwork. They are trying to teach tribal dances and tribal singing. And in some places they even teach the language. The various Indian tribes are trying to bring back their own languages. There are quite a few of them that have lost their language, however."
-Noah White, Winnebago
-Noah White, Winnebago
"A lot of other Indian tribes in the United States have lost use of their language and therefore their culture."
- Eddie Biakeddy, deputy director of the Navajo tribe's Department of Education
- Eddie Biakeddy, deputy director of the Navajo tribe's Department of Education
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Laws and Executive Orders Uphold Cultural Rights
However, loss of culture caused by boarding schools is working to be corrected, as the remaining boarding schools are reformed to teach culture. The US governement is also working to make up for their actions with laws, executive orders, and treaties that work to preserve culture.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
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"Properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization may be determined to be eligible for inclusion on the National Register. . . . a Federal agency shall consult with any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that attaches religious and cultural significance to [such properties]"
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American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 |
"it shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions . . . including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites."
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Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 |
"[A]rchaeological resources on public lands and Indian lands are an accessible and irreplaceable part of the Nation’s heritage ... The purpose of this Act is to secure, for the present and future benefit of the American people, the protection of archaeological resources and sites which are on public lands and Indian lands."
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Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990
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"The ownership or control of Native American cultural items which are excavated or discovered on Federal or tribal lands after November 16, 1990, shall be . . . in the lineal descendants of the Native American; or ... in the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization on whose tribal land such objects or remains were discovered."
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E.O. 12898, Environmental Justice 1994
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"Each Federal agency responsibility set forth under this order shall apply equally to Native American programs. In addition, the Department of the Interior, in coordination with the Working Group, and, after consultation with tribal leaders, shall coordinate steps to be taken pursuant to this order that address Federally-recognized Indian Tribes."
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E.O. 13007, Indian Sacred Sites 1996 |
"In managing Federal lands, each executive branch agency with statutory or administrative responsibility for the management of Federal lands shall . . . (1) accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners and (2) avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of such sacred sites. Where appropriate, agencies shall maintain the confidentiality of sacred sites."
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E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments 2000 |
"Our Nation, under the law of the United States, in accordance with treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and judicial decisions, has recognized the right of Indian tribes to self-government. As domestic dependent nations, Indian tribes exercise inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory. The United States continues to work with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis to address issues concerning Indian tribal self-government, tribal trust resources, and Indian tribal treaty and other rights."
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