President Joe Biden is set to deliver an apology in Arizona for the federal government's historical role in placing Indigenous children in boarding schools, where many faced abuse and nearly 1,000 died. This event marks a significant moment in addressing past injustices against Native American communities.

Doug Kiel, a citizen of the Oneida Nation and associate professor of history at Northwestern University, is available for media interviews regarding this historic occasion. Professor Kiel emphasized the importance of this apology: “By apologizing for the forced assimilation of Native American children in boarding schools, President Biden is making a significant acknowledgment of deep wounds impacting every Indigenous family in America." He further noted that while previous apologies have been made by Presidents Clinton and Obama, "this moment underscores the urgent need to move beyond words."

Kiel calls for actions beyond symbolic gestures, stating that "true healing demands dismantling colonial structures, returning stolen lands, honoring Indigenous sovereignty, fulfilling treaty obligations, and transforming symbolic gestures into concrete actions that address ongoing injustices and achieve meaningful reparative justice." He warns that without tangible steps forward, "the apology risks remaining a symbolic gesture without fostering real accountability and justice."

Professor Kiel can be contacted via email at doug.kiel@northwestern.edu or through Stephanie Kulke at stephanie.kulke@northwestern.edu for further insights.