For decades, the U.S. boarding school system forcibly removed Native American children from their families, aiming to assimilate them into Euro-American culture.
These schools operated from the early 1800s until the 1970s, leaving a legacy of trauma. What many didn’t realize, however, was the extent of the tragedy within their walls.
A new investigation reveals the death toll of these children is far higher than previously reported.
According to 20minutes, The Washington Post has found that at least 3,104 Native American children died while attending these institutions.
This is three times the number the U.S. government acknowledged in its earlier report, which cited 973 deaths. Historians believe the actual number could be even greater.
Prison Camp or Boarding School?
The causes of death ranged from infectious diseases and malnutrition to accidents. But not all deaths were accidental.
The investigation uncovered cases of abuse and neglect, suggesting some children may have died from mistreatment.
Many of the children’s bodies were buried on school grounds or nearby, and their remains were never returned to their families or tribes.
These boarding schools were meant to erase Indigenous cultures under the guise of education.
Judi Gaiashkibos, a Native advocate whose relatives attended such schools, described them as "prison camps" rather than places of learning.
President Joe Biden has since apologized to Native American communities, calling the boarding school system a "sin that stains our soul." His administration has taken steps to repair relations with Native nations and address historical injustices.
Similar programs existed in Canada, where the discovery of mass graves at residential schools shocked the world. Efforts there have centered on acknowledging the harm done and seeking reconciliation.
The United States is beginning to confront this dark chapter of its history. For many Native communities, this acknowledgment is a necessary step toward healing and justice.
