The U.S. Department of the Interior’s “Road to Healing” events have shed light on the deep-rooted health disparities faced by Native American communities. These listening sessions, part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, have provided a platform for survivors to share their harrowing experiences of abuse and cultural suppression in boarding schools.
Dr. Maegan Rides At The Door, who attended the final event in Bozeman, Montana, described the profound impact of hearing survivors’ stories. The accounts revealed a pattern of physical and sexual abuse, forced separation from families, and violent suppression of traditional languages and practices. These traumatic experiences have led to intergenerational trauma, contributing to ongoing health disparities in Native American communities.
Survivors recounted struggles with alcoholism and other health issues in the aftermath of their boarding school experiences. Many found healing later in life, becoming advocates for cultural revitalization and protectors of subsequent generations. However, the long-term effects of these traumas continue to ripple through Native communities.
The initiative marks the first comprehensive effort by the U.S. government to document and acknowledge the devastating effects of boarding school policies implemented from the early 1800s through the 1970s. This acknowledgment is seen as a necessary step towards healing, though questions remain about what concrete actions will follow.
Dr. Rides At The Door emphasized the importance of continuing these conversations at the community level, recognizing that each tribal community has its own unique stories of trauma and resilience. The road to healing, she noted, is a collective journey that requires ongoing effort and support.
As the initiative concludes, there is hope that these testimonies will lead to systemic changes and improved health outcomes for Native American communities, addressing the long-standing disparities rooted in historical trauma.
See “The Road to Healing Is A Collective Journey” (November 16, 2023)
