Historic apology from the US President to indigenous peoples

President Joe Biden will publicly apologize for the USA's oppression of indigenous peoples that lasted for 150 years.

» Published: October 24 2024

Historic apology from the US President to indigenous peoples
Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/TT

Share this article

Children from indigenous peoples were forced into boarding schools where many lives were destroyed, according to a previous investigation initiated by the US government. Now, Biden wants to show federal remorse for the treatment.

I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago: formally issuing an apology to (native nations) for the way we've treated their children for so many years, said Biden when he left the White House to travel to the state of Arizona.

For the first time

On Friday, Biden is visiting an indigenous reservation in the state. In connection with the visit, he will formally apologize on behalf of the federal government for how indigenous peoples have been treated, something no previous president has done.

Biden's issuance of an apology comes barely two weeks before the presidential election – and thus becomes one of his last major commitments before a new president is elected.

I could never have imagined ... that something like this would happen, said Deb Haaland, who is the Interior Minister and also belongs to the Pueblo of Laguna (Kawaika) tribe, about Biden's announcement.

Forced relocations

She initiated the investigation that revealed extensive physical and psychological abuse against students during the period 1819–1969 when the US federal government ran over 400 boarding schools.

The investigation shows, among other things, that over 18,000 children were forcibly taken from their parents to boarding schools. Around 1,000 deaths have been confirmed in connection with the forced relocations, and about 70 unmarked graves have been discovered.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Netanyahu Urges Gaza City Residents to Evacuate Immediately
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Urges Gaza City Residents to Evacuate Immediately

Giorgio Armani Laid to Rest in Private Ceremony in Italy
1 MIN READ

Giorgio Armani Laid to Rest in Private Ceremony in Italy

Trump Ordered to Pay 780 Million Kronor in Defamation Case
1 MIN READ

Trump Ordered to Pay 780 Million Kronor in Defamation Case

Protests in Nepal Over Social Media Ban Leave 19 Dead
2 MIN READ

Protests in Nepal Over Social Media Ban Leave 19 Dead

Pussy Riot Member Released in Poland After Arrest
1 MIN READ

Pussy Riot Member Released in Poland After Arrest

Spain Implements Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
1 MIN READ

Spain Implements Measures Against Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?
4 MIN READ

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Norway's Wealth Tax Debate Heats Up Ahead of Election
3 MIN READ

Norway's Wealth Tax Debate Heats Up Ahead of Election

Four Teenagers Die in Hamar Norway House Fire
1 MIN READ

Four Teenagers Die in Hamar Norway House Fire

Several Killed in Jerusalem Bus Shooting: "Indescribable"
3 MIN READ

Several Killed in Jerusalem Bus Shooting: "Indescribable"

France Faces Political Turmoil as Government Falls
3 MIN READ

France Faces Political Turmoil as Government Falls

Father Shot by Police After Hiding with Kids in New Zealand Forest
1 MIN READ

Father Shot by Police After Hiding with Kids in New Zealand Forest

EU Weighs New Sanctions on Russian Banks and Energy Firms
2 MIN READ

EU Weighs New Sanctions on Russian Banks and Energy Firms

EU Sees 23% Drop in Asylum Applications in First Half of the Year
1 MIN READ

EU Sees 23% Drop in Asylum Applications in First Half of the Year

Thermal Power Plant Shelled in Kyiv Region Amid Russian Attacks
1 MIN READ

Thermal Power Plant Shelled in Kyiv Region Amid Russian Attacks

Listhaug Challenges Støre and Solberg in Norway's Election
2 MIN READ

Listhaug Challenges Støre and Solberg in Norway's Election

Life Sentence for Woman in Deadly Mushroom Poisoning in Australia
1 MIN READ

Life Sentence for Woman in Deadly Mushroom Poisoning in Australia

EU Delegation Heads to Washington for Russia Sanctions Talks
2 MIN READ

EU Delegation Heads to Washington for Russia Sanctions Talks

Israel Supreme Court Orders More Food for Palestinian Prisoners
1 MIN READ

Israel Supreme Court Orders More Food for Palestinian Prisoners

Trump Issues Final Warning to Hamas on Hostage Settlement
2 MIN READ

Trump Issues Final Warning to Hamas on Hostage Settlement