Biden apologizes for federal Indian boarding schools: 'One of the most horrific chapters in American history'

President Biden connected Friday offered a "long overdue" general apology from nan authorities for nan Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, describing it arsenic "one of nan astir horrific chapters successful American history." 

The U.S. Department of nan Interior says nan program, which lasted complete a 150-year play that ended successful 1969, established 408 schools crossed 37 states to "culturally assimilate American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children by forcibly removing them from their families, communities, languages, religions and taste beliefs." 

"After 150 years, nan United States authorities yet stopped nan program. But nan national authorities has never, ne'er formally apologized for what happened — until today," Biden told an assemblage while speaking astatine nan Gila River Indian Community successful Arizona. "I formally apologize, arsenic President of nan United States of America, for what we did. I formally apologize. That's agelong overdue." 

"At first, successful nan 1800s, nan effort was voluntary, asking tribes... to nonstop their children distant to vocational schools. But past nan national authorities mandated nan removal of children from their families and tribes, launching what's called nan Federal Indian Boarding School era," he said. 

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President Biden speaks astatine nan Gila Crossing Community School successful Laveen, Arizona, connected Friday. (AP/Rick Scuteri)

"One of nan astir horrific chapters successful American history," Biden continued. "We should beryllium ashamed, a section that astir Americans don't cognize about." 

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Attendees clap astatine an arena pinch President Biden astatine nan Gila Crossing Community School connected nan Gila River Indian Community preservation successful Laveen, Arizona, connected Friday. (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

"Generations of autochthonal children stolen, taken distant to places they didn't know, pinch group they ne'er met, who said a connection they had ne'er heard. Native communities silenced. Their children's laughter and play were gone," Biden besides said. "Children would get astatine schools, their apparel taken off, their hairsbreadth that they were told was sacred, was chopped off, their names virtually erased, replaced by a number aliases an English name." 

President Biden said during his reside that nan Federal Indian Boarding School era was 1 of nan "most horrific chapters successful American history." (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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At slightest 973 Native American children died during nan program, during which much than 18,000 were taken from their parents, according to The Associated Press.