The White Buffalo Prophecy tells of a time when a white buffalo calf would be born, and that birth would signal a time of Great Healing for All Nations. That white buffalo calf - the first of many - was born in Janesville, Wisc., in 1994. Her name was Miracle.
It is in the spirit of the White Bison Prophecy, that we call upon all peoples to join us in signing this petition supporting a US apology and healing for the widespread abuse of Native American children at the nearly 500 schools funded by the US government to assimilate Native American people.
There is a growing body of evidence that the trauma Native American children carried home with them from the schools is an underlying cause of the suicides and substance abuse-related deaths that are killing young Native people today in alarming numbers.
This petition will be hand delivered to Washington, D.C., by Native American youth who will be participating in a 5,300-mile, cross-country bicycle relay in May and June 2009 (www.thewayhometour.org). The vision is to promote awareness, dialogue and forgiveness for what happened at the schools so that we can collectively heal from this tragic chapter in United States history.
This petition calls upon the new President of the United States to issue a formal apology for what the US government allowed to happen to Native American children at the schools, and for the curse it left on Native communities.
White Bison, Inc., is a non-profit organization that for the last 20 years has provided culturally-relevant assistance and resources to Native American communities in healing (http://www.whitebison.org/)
The White Buffalo Prophecy tells of a time when a white buffalo calf would be born, and that birth would signal a time of Great Healing for All Nations. That white buffalo calf - the first of many - was born in Janesville, Wisc., in 1994. Her name was Miracle.
It is in the spirit of the White Bison Prophecy, that we call upon all peoples to join us in signing this petition supporting a US apology and healing for the widespread abuse of Native American children at the nearly 500 schools funded by the US government to assimilate Native American people.
There is a growing body of evidence that the trauma Native American children carried home with them from the schools is an underlying cause of the suicides and substance abuse-related deaths that are killing young Native people today in alarming numbers.
This petition will be hand delivered to Washington, D.C., by Native American youth who will be participating in a 5,300-mile, cross-country bicycle relay in May and June 2009 (www.thewayhometour.org). The vision is to promote awareness, dialogue and forgiveness for what happened at the schools so that we can collectively heal from this tragic chapter in United States history.
This petition calls upon the new President of the United States to issue a formal apology for what the US government allowed to happen to Native American children at the schools, and for the curse it left on Native communities.
White Bison, Inc., is a non-profit organization that for the last 20 years has provided culturally-relevant assistance and resources to Native American communities in healing (http://www.whitebison.org/)
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We need Native American Indian Schools in my indian community.
I feel ashamed that we as a country have treated our own people so badly. My ancestors came on the trail of tears. The records of my family history have been lost because there was such shame attached to being Indian. My father remembers his mother telling him to not tell anyone they were part Indian, she refused to register. My dad remembers his great grandparents being full blooded Indian. I still can find no records of these people. I have read many accounts of the kinds of things that happened in these schools-my heart breaks for these peoples. I feel helpless to do any thing about it. It is time for our Nation to step out of the denial and move towards acceptance, amends and wholeness.
When any One person is dishonored, all are dishonored. In separating one society from another, all societies suffer and become vunerable. The dishonoring of the People of Native Tribes has weakened all of society. It is the Government's responsibility to acknowledge the dishonorable acts of the past by presenting a formal, humble, apology for Government's participation in all acts of hostility toward and subjugation of Native Peoples. Aho.
The community still holds on to resentments and sorrow which is part of the underlying problems for the use of alcohol and drug use on reservations that is killing the young and had led to the manifestation of other serious problems (school drop outs, health issues, abuse, family problems, etc)
The indian schools caused a lot of anger and bitterness among Native Americans and Whites. There is still a lot of segregation and one thinking they are better than the other.
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2:23 pm PST, Nov 3,
April Hungary Reihm, California
I support this patition because I am a survivor of the attempted genocide of a Northern Arapahoe little boy named Vernon Hungary. aka John Smith student of St. Stevens Catholic school located on The Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. My father had his braids cut at the age of 5 there. He was hit for speaking his language. He lost is culture for "the great white father", grew up and became an alcoholic. Never spoke his language in from of 6 daughters and 3 sons. We each suffer loss on a daily basis for what was done to him, as do his grandchildren. He was a spiritual person in spite of what was attempted by "them"(you). so now it is up to me, as one, to forgive you. Lord have mercy on your pitiful souls. |
Now that I know about what happened at the Indian Boarding Schools-I feel that our governmnet should be making it a priority to apologize and admit they knew what was happening in these schools and do whatever is possible to never let it happen again.
My mother and her brothers & sisters attended an Indian Boarding School in South Dakota, where they learned that it was 'shameful' to be Indian.
My dear friend's parents were both raised in a boarding school and worked very hard as parents but acknowledged their lack of parental involvement in their lives when they needed it most and how it effected their children and now their grandchildren.
I grew up next to a reservation and have found out I have Native American heritage, but my father's side will not tell me more about it, nor am I told which tribe my ancestor decends from, but I'm still proud and always will be. I've seen my friend's families show the obvious signs of historical trauma and just because the newest generation wasn't directly impacted by the genocide and bording schools, doesn't mean they won't see how it directly and indirectly impacted their parents and elders. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart's research shows the truth.
I've never had a chance to enjoy this part of my heritage.
How have US Indian schools impacted you, your family, your community, or the nation? US Indian schools, as well as genocidal policies of assimilation, sterilization and a wide variety of others aimed at whitewashing reality of the strong healthy viable peoples and cultures that belong to this place impact everyone living in this country built upon those policies. There is no contentment, no satisfaction, no equality, no justice – no peace possible until that reality is as deeply instilled into all of our children and families, as deeply as the present mythological, propagandistic history of the United States of America is today.
The Native America population will always remember the boarding schools and what was done. Healing and coming togather from the people is a must.
It is a blight on the history of this nation and has affected everyone.
Instead of helping to civilize our nation, the U.S. Indian schools actually have set back the progress of our nation. We came and settled on a nation that already existed and people who had things to teach us as well. Until we accept the gift that the Native Americans have to give us and apologize and make reparation for what we did, this nation cannot reach its full potential and take its rightful place in the world of respecting all people and not just saying but living "All people are created equal."
The suffering of these children echoes across time and will continue to echo until their pain is acknowledged and healed even if posthumously through their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
The reality of these atrocities have revirbrated far too long. When I speak of what I have learned many people still do not know. The denial in the U.S.A. continues to be strong. We wonder why so many people of all colors and walks of life have chemical dependency problems. Much of the USA is in denial over these acts and the reality they represent. It appears we are a country of denial and it is time for the truth to be spoken. I wonder how many other things were not taught or were arranged to alter the truth and make the actions of some look like rightious acts when they were really acts of cowards. BE HONORABLE AND TEACH THE TRUTH! IT WILL SET THE RECORD RIGHT AND BEGIN THE HEALING FOR ALL!!
I am a teacher and I believe that the history of native education at government schools still causes a rift in communication with native families. Even if the abuses occurred to grandparents, it still affects my ability to work closely and effectively with some native parents. There is a well-documented achievement gap between native students and the general population in some subjects and not being able to work as intimately with parents and native community leaders is slowing our ability to close that gap, despite good intentions from all.
If the quality of education were equal and culturally responsive for Native Alaskans and Native Americans we would have many more Native doctors, teachers, lawyers, writers and other creative artists and leaders. We have hurt are country and our workforce by not tapping the potential for all people, especially the first people who inhabited this continent of North America.
I have losted my language, culture, and spirituality as per Indian Residential School