Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s latest move to establish the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument on Monday raises some eyebrows. In what can only be described as an attempt to put a band-aid on a historical wound, he’s declared this site a monument to what he refers to as a “dark chapter” in American history. This latest gesture comes from a president who is more focused on making headlines than actually fostering long-term solutions.
At the Tribal Nations Summit—a gathering that’s turned into a platform for Biden to air his grievances about America’s past—the president lamented the actions of the federal government during the 19th and 20th centuries. He highlighted how Native American children were systematically removed from their families—a simply awful chapter, indeed. However, what Biden fails to address is how his administration’s current policies may harm these same communities today, raising the question of whether this monument is just a distraction from real issues.
Biden designates national monument to ‘apologize for’ Native American boarding school era https://t.co/DtmIDz6WPQ
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 10, 2024
The Carlisle School, founded in 1879, was the pioneer federal off-reservation boarding school. With a history of forced assimilation practices, it’s estimated that more than 1,000 students lost their lives during their tenure there. While Biden acknowledges these facts, one can’t help but notice that shoehorning a school with such a tragic history into his legacy feels more like an effort to “Trump-proof” his administration than to genuinely make amends. One has to wonder if throwing a rock into the dark waters of American history will keep the fishermen at bay.
Biden emphasized the importance of recognizing history in all its forms—good, bad, and ugly—but this effort appears misguided. He went further to apologize for the federal Indian boarding school era, but it remains unclear how an apology translates into action. His talk about “healing processes” sounds more like a slogan rather than a plan. The irony seems lost on him; while he’s busy apologizing for the past, policies in his administration might further erode the values of tribal sovereignty and culture he claims to uphold.
Moreover, the president has announced a broader initiative to revitalize Native languages, claiming this is part of protecting America’s heritage. It’s safe to say that his intentions are, at least in part, rooted in sound policy. However, one must question the sincerity behind this effort when the same administration pushes policies that cultivate dependency rather than genuine partnerships with tribes. As Biden caps off his remarks by declaring it an honor to usher in a “new era of tribal sovereignty,” many are left wondering if he understands the difference between lip service and tangible action.
