Discussion · House of Representatives
Teresa Leger Fernandez Democrat
“I want the House to pass this bill to create a commission that investigates Native American boarding schools and their lasting harm. Many children were forced to give up their culture, and many never came home. We must remember them and help tribal communities heal.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 30, 2026, as National Day of Remembrance to honor those who were forced to attend Indian boarding schools and to recognize Indian boarding school victims and survivors. Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native American children were forced to relinquish their own indigenous heritage and language. I call upon my colleagues to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, to formally investigate, document, and report on boarding schools, their policies, and the generational effects on Native American peoples. We must support the healing of survivors, descendants, and Tribal communities. Many of the children never returned home to their families or their communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for those children who did not survive, and may they never be forgotten.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 30, 2026, as National Day of Remembrance to honor those who were forced to attend Indian boarding schools and to recognize Indian boarding school victims and survivors. Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native American children were forced to relinquish their own indigenous heritage and language. I call upon my colleagues to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, to formally investigate, document, and report on boarding schools, their policies, and the generational effects on Native American peoples. We must support the healing of survivors, descendants, and Tribal communities. Many of the children never returned home to their families or their communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for those children who did not survive, and may they never be forgotten.