For the past five years, FCNL has been advocating for a bill to establish a truth and healing commission to investigate the U.S. federal government’s role in implementing Indian Boarding Era policies. From the early 1800s to the late 1960s, the U.S. government attempted to assimilate Native children into white culture. These policies stole Native children from their homes, their communities, and their cultures. Many religious institutions, including Quakers, were actively involved in running boarding schools.
Progress in Congress
In the 118th Congress, this bill made historic progress by passing the Senate. While it passed out of House committees, the Truth and Healing Commission bill was not brought for a full vote in the House.
The bill has a promising trajectory this Congress. In late February, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (AK), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Elizabeth Warren (MA) reintroduced the version of the bill that passed in the 118th Congress. Key changes from the original bill text include faith representation on an advisory committee and removal of the subpoena power.
On March 5, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act (S.761) was reviewed and approved by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, advancing the bill in congressional process.
Key Differences
The version of the bill that is moving in the 119th Congress has key differences from previous versions of the bill. The first is the removal of the subpoena power. The previous version granted the commission the authority to issue a subpoena for documents or testimony.
The bill that was just reintroduced relies on voluntary participation in the investigation of the Commission. This voluntary participation invites religious institutions into the process of truth, healing, and justice.
The bill also gives faith representatives three seats on the 20-member Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee. The committee will also comprise of federal representatives from agencies working with Native communities such as the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services.
While the subpoena power was removed, this advisory committee will still enable effective cooperation among religious institutions and federal institutions. The faith representation on this advisory committee will help foster relationships between churches and the commission which will make it easier to get necessary evidence and documents.
The focus of FCNL’s Native American Advocacy team will continue to be advocating for the passage of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act.
Quakers have investigated our own history as a step towards justice and healing, but there is still more work to be done. We believe that the bill is a necessary step in our pursuit of right relationships with tribal communities and justice for survivors.
