This bill establishes a Truth and Healing Commission to investigate the history of Indian boarding schools in the United States and document their systematic impacts on Native American peoples. The Commission will examine federal policies that created these schools, gather testimony from survivors and descendants, and develop recommendations for federal remedial efforts. The Commission will operate for six years and will include Native American members as well as representatives from federal agencies and religious institutions involved in boarding school policies. Its work will support healing for Native American survivors, their descendants, and affected communities.
Congressional Summary
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States within the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership.Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools).Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-02-03
- Date Added
- 2026-04-10