Congressional Native American Caucus chairs reintroduce bill to investigate Indian boarding school history

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., have reintroduced legislation to investigate and document the history and long-term impacts of federal Indian boarding school policies. Cole and Davids serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus.

According to a joint press release, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025 would establish a commission to examine boarding school histories and policies and develop recommendations for federal action. From 1819 through the 1970s, the federal government established more than 526 government-funded and church-run boarding schools aimed at assimilating Native children. By 1926, nearly 86% of Indian school-age children were attending such schools. The proposed commission would report on the schools’ impacts and seek to provide answers for survivors, descendants and tribal communities.