President Joe Biden has signed a presidential proclamation to establish the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This new designation, made under the Antiquities Act, recognizes the historical significance of forced assimilation policies that affected Native children through federal Indian boarding schools. The announcement coincides with the White House Tribal Nations Summit, where federal and Tribal leaders discuss strengthening nation-to-nation relationships.
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, founded in 1879 as the first off-reservation boarding school for Native children in the continental United States, served as a model for over 400 similar institutions across 37 states. These schools aimed to eradicate Native languages, religions, and cultures. By its closure in 1918, more than 7,800 Indian children from over 140 Tribes had attended Carlisle.
The monument covers 24.5 acres and will be managed by both the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Army. This initiative builds on Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland's Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which seeks to address and acknowledge this legacy's impact on Indigenous communities.
During an October visit to the Gila River Indian Community with Secretary Haaland, President Biden apologized to Tribal Nations for the harm caused by these policies. Federal records indicate thousands of children attended these schools, with nearly 1,000 recorded deaths.
"No single action by the federal government can adequately reconcile the trauma and ongoing harms from the federal Indian boarding school era," said Secretary Haaland. She emphasized that efforts like this monument help tell important stories about these policies' intergenerational impacts.
Rachel Jacobson from the Army stated that this collaboration would allow public access to this historical site while preserving it for future generations.
The National Park Service is tasked with enhancing interpretation and preservation efforts related to this history as part of Secretary Haaland's initiative. Two consultations were conducted earlier this year between nations regarding these efforts.
"This addition to the national park system...is among giant steps taken in recent years," said Chuck Sams from National Park Service Director. He highlighted his personal connection through family members who experienced boarding schools firsthand.
Located within U.S Army Carlisle Barracks—the nation's oldest military installation—the monument includes structures like gymnasiums built by students themselves back when they attended school there until its closure in1918.The boundary excludes Main Post Cemetery where many deceased students were buried but does include significant landmarks such as School Road Gateposts constructed by attending children themselves back then now transferred administratively under NPS jurisdiction following today's proclamation signing ceremony
Access remains restricted due being situated inside active military installation however plans are underway involving consultation tribal partners developing opportunities visitation programming led jointly between both agencies involved here namely NPS & USArmy respectively; updates forthcoming via official channels online soon enough!
