Alaska Natives say presidential apology is first step in repairing damage done by boarding schools [Video]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – President Joe Biden will issue a formal apology Friday for the negative impact American boarding schools had on Indigenous children, but Indigenous researchers believe the apology needs to be accompanied by action.

The announcement of the formal presidential apology comes after Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland’s report on boarding school policies released in July brought attention to the high number and gruesome treatment of Native American children.

While it stands as the first formal apology ever issued from any president of the United States, Indigenous researcher Benjamin Jacuk with the Alaska Native Heritage Center wants to see more change following Biden’s address.

According to Jacuk, Alaska Natives, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians have all faced generational trauma issuing from experiences at boarding schools. He said his research indicates many elders from Alaska Native communities felt an apology could be a step in the right direction — being heard.

“Acknowledgement …