Apology long overdue for U.S. Indian boarding schools, says former student [Video]

WARNING: This story contains details of experiences at residential schools.

A former student of assimilationist federal Indian boarding schools in the U.S. says Friday’s presidential apology was long overdue.

“They should have done it years ago,” said Rosie Yellowhair, 74, a member of the Navajo Nation originally from Steamboat, Ariz..

“I’m glad he did that, and I hope there is programs for people that have been hurt from it.”

Yellowhair attended boarding schools from age four all the way through Grade 12, including the Steamboat, Keams Canyon and Phoenix boarding schools.

She recalled feeling lonely and trying to run away, being banned from speaking Navajo and suffering punishments that included having to scrub floors with a toothbrush, stand in the corner holding books and being physically hit in the ears.

The apology is a good first step but now there needs to be an effort to help people heal, said …