**Biden to Issue Formal Apology for Historical Abuse in Indigenous Boarding Schools**

In a significant move of reconciliation, President Joe Biden will issue a formal apology to Indigenous communities on Friday afternoon. This apology addresses the historical trauma inflicted by government assimilation boarding schools, which operated from the early 1800s to the 1960s. During this period, Indigenous children were taken—often forcibly—from their tribes and homes to these schools.

The acknowledgment comes as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to hold a Cabinet position, highlighted her personal connection to this dark chapter of American history. Haaland shared on ABC News' daily podcast "Start Here" that her own grandparents and mother were among those subjected to the boarding school system. She recounted the harrowing experiences of children at these schools, where they were stripped of their cultural identities upon arrival, including having their clothing taken, hair cut, and being prohibited from speaking their native languages under threat of punishment.

Haaland recently completed a reservation listening tour, gathering testimonies from tribal elders and descendants of boarding school survivors. This tour was part of a federal investigation into the physical and emotional abuse, as well as the deaths, that occurred at these institutions. Her investigation revealed the presence of unmarked burial sites far from the homes of those who never made it back.

Based on her findings, Haaland compiled a list of recommendations, foremost among them being a formal acknowledgment and apology from the U.S. government. President Biden, addressing White House reporters on Thursday, stated his intention to travel to Arizona to issue the apology. He emphasized the overdue nature of this act, aiming to formally address the mistreatment of Indigenous children over many years.

Haaland underscored the importance of this apology as the initial step towards healing the enduring trauma and pain. She stressed the critical need for survivors and their descendants to feel recognized and included, asserting that "Native American history is American history." The formal apology aims to be a foundational moment in acknowledging and rectifying the past injustices faced by Indigenous communities.