US President Biden: I formally apologize

Visiting the city of Phoenix in the state of Arizona, US President Joe Biden delivered a speech at the historic Gila Crossing school regarding his country's role in the assimilation of Indigenous children. Referring to the poor conditions endured by thousands of Native American children who were forced to attend boarding schools, Biden said, "As President of the United States, I formally apologize for what we did.

It was long overdue. Frankly, there is no excuse for this apology taking 50 years to come," he said. Stating that the number of Native American children affected by the US policy on this matter is "likely far, far higher than the actual number," Biden added, "The federal Indian boarding school policy and the pain it caused will always be a significant mark of shame, a blot on American history."

Using the phrase "a sin on our soul" to describe what happened, Biden stated that the facts regarding the US assimilation policy had long escaped public attention, were not included in history books, and were not taught in schools.

THOUSANDS OF INDIGENOUS CHILDREN WERE AFFECTED

From 1819 to 1969, the US government operated more than 400 federal Native American boarding schools across 37 states or provided financial support to churches and religious groups to operate them. It has been reported that thousands of Native American children who attended these schools were forced to change their language and religion or were subjected to mistreatment as part of assimilation policies.