Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) acknowledges the recent horrific discovery of a mass grave site for 215 children at Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada. Sadly, too many of our loved ones in Alaska and across the United States were also removed from their homes and families and placed into hundreds of boarding schools up until as recently as the 1990’s. Our shared histories and the ongoing legacy of harm caused by forced assimilation practices create an opportunity to link arms together with our Indigenous brothers and sisters across the North American continent as we promote healing and reconciliation.
“We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as boarding school survivors who have been affected by this recent news,” said PJ Simon, Chief/Chairman of Tanana Chiefs Conference. “We honor the memories and courage of the 215 children who we have not forgotten. We stand with Alaska Native people and their families who continue to be impacted by their boarding school experiences.”
TCC encourages Alaskans from all walks of life to learn the truth about the impact of boarding schools and how Indigenous children suffered physical, cultural, spiritual and sexual abuse and neglect. Their stories and experiences must be witnessed. Today, Alaska Native educators are working in partnership with others to create learning models that lift up our traditions, ceremonies and kinship ties. We want to empower our young leaders to utilize connections to their Ancestral knowledge, family histories and practices and build solid identities and contribute to their communities.
TCC supports a community event that recognizes the lost children at Kamloops Indian Residential School and boarding school survivors.
This weekend, 215 orange bandanas will be tied to the Centennial Bridge to honor the memory of the 215 Native children discovered in unmarked graves at Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada. Boarding school survivors, their loved ones and other supporters will gather from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 13 at Golden Heart Plaza. They will be wearing orange to show solidarity and raise awareness about residential and boarding schools. The event will also feature speakers and Alaska Native dance performances.
Several local and other resources are available to learn about this history, as well as access information for supporting yourself and others through a difficult life experience.
Tanana Chiefs Conference Behavioral Health Program
https://www.tananachiefs.org/services/behavioral-health/
Alaska Behavioral Health
https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/contact/
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
https://boardingschoolhealing.org/healing/
Native Peoples Action Community Fund Native Wellness Series
https://npacommunityfund.org/native-wellness-series/
Resources to learn more about boarding schools in Alaska:
Talking with Children about “Grandpa’s Drum” – PBS Kids series Molly of Denali
https://kuac.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/mod19-soc-grandpasdrum/grandpas-drum-molly-of-denali/
Boarding Schools and Missions in Alaska
https://www.encountersalaska.org/boarding-schools-and-missions
History of Alaska Native Education
http://www.alaskool.org/native_ed/native_ed_intro.htm