As Native communities prepare to recognize the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors on Sept. 30, efforts continue in Congress to establish a commission examining the history and lasting effects of U.S. Indian boarding school policies.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico recently used remarks on the House floor to recognize Native children, survivors, families and descendants affected by Indian boarding schools and urged lawmakers to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026.
The bipartisan House legislation was introduced in February by Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Sharice Davids (D-KS). It would establish a Truth and Healing Commission tasked with formally investigating and documenting the history of Indian boarding schools and their effects on Native peoples.
A Senate version, S. 761, was introduced in 2025 and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs reported it favorably.
Under the Senate proposal, the commission would operate for up to six years. Its work would include locating previously unmarked graves, analyzing and preserving boarding-school records, holding public hearings, and reporting its findings to Congress. The legislation also calls for Native American and survivor representation through advisory bodies connected to the commission.
The proposed commission is intended not only to document the boarding-school era but also to develop recommendations based on its findings and support healing among survivors, descendants and Native communities.
Leger Fernández’s renewed call comes shortly before the Sept. 30 National Day of Remembrance.
In her House remarks, she recognized children who never returned home and called for continued work toward truth and healing. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has also urged Congress to act on the legislation.
This year’s National Day of Remembrance will have a particularly strong Minnesota connection.
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is holding its national gathering Wednesday at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis under the theme, “Honoring Truth, Embracing Healing, Building Our Future.” The gathering will bring together survivors, descendants, Tribal leaders, and community members for remembrance and reflection.
Sources:
- Congressional Record – Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández remarks on Indian boarding school survivors
- GovInfo – H.R. 7325, Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
- GovInfo – S. 761, Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act
- National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
- Native News Online – Sept. 27 Indian Country D.C. Briefs
