September 30, 2025: Native American Boarding School Day of Remembrance

WHEREAS, the Native American Boarding School era was adopted by the United States government to forcibly strip American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children of their Indigenous identities, beliefs, and languages to assimilate them into non-Native culture through federally funded, church-run institutions; and,

WHEREAS, research from the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition reveals that from 1819 through the 1960s, the federal government funded over 526 boarding schools from across 38 states-including 8 boarding schools in Michigan-removing children as young as 3 years old from their homes and traditional lands; and,

WHEREAS, families of these children were often prohibited from visiting or communicating with them, severing critical family and cultural ties, and causing deep intergenerational trauma that persists today; and,

WHEREAS, many children who died while attending Native American boarding schools or neighboring hospitals were buried in unmarked graves or off-campus cemeteries; leaving families with no closure and profound loss; and,

WHEREAS, many children who were taken to Native American boarding schools did not survive, and of those who did survive, some never returned to their parents, extended families, and communities; and,

WHEREAS, Tribal Nations and indigenous communities in Michigan continue to be deeply affected by the long-term effects of this history on their population, political status, economic opportunities, health, and wellbeing; and,

WHEREAS, further research, funding, and public education are needed to understand the systems that supported Native American boarding schools and to bring justice to survivors and their descendants; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 30, 2025, as Native American Boarding School Day of Remembrance in Michigan.