On the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, Tribal leaders, child care providers, and community partners took part in a private educational event at the Stewart Indian School Museum, honoring the lives of Native children impacted by the federal boarding school system and reinforcing the message that “Every Child Matters.”
Hosted by the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada’s Child Care Development Fund, the invite-only program offered a space for learning, reflection, and dialogue. Participants explored the lasting effects of boarding schools while connecting historic lessons to current efforts that support Indigenous children and families.
From the early 1800s through the late 20th century, more than 400 Indian boarding schools operated across the United States, including Stewart Indian School in Nevada.
These institutions, run by the U.S. government and religious organizations, forcibly removed Native children from their homes in an effort to assimilate them into Western culture. Many children were punished for speaking their languages or practicing their traditions. Some never returned home. Those who did often carried trauma that has affected generations.
At the local event, attendees joined a guided museum tour featuring testimony from Stewart alumnus Frank Joe, who shared his experiences as a student in the early 1950s.
The program also included a tribal prayer, smudging ceremonies, a reading of Stolen Words, and activities focused on healing and cultural preservation.
Nationally, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) issued a statement marking the day and affirming its commitment to supporting survivors and Native communities.
“The National Day of Remembrance is both solemn and sacred. It is a time to acknowledge the truth, to honor survivors, and to say the name of children who never came home,” said AC Locklear (Lumbee), CEO of the National Indian Health Board. “Healing can only begin when we face the past with honesty and compassion. NIHB is committed to standing with Tribal Nations, Native communities, and Tribal organizations across the country as we work on paths forward and generational healing.”
Observed each year on September 30, the National Day of Remembrance encourages reflection, truth-telling, and education on the impacts of the Indian boarding school era.
To learn more about U.S. Indian Boarding Schools and ongoing healing efforts, visit the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) website.
