A first-of-its-kind investigation into the abuse of Native American 美国青年协会.S. government could help serve as a building block for creating a better, more equitable future for native communities moving forward.
That was one of the conclusions shared by 布莱恩·纽兰, assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, when he visited Grand 十月谷. 27 to share updates on issues facing Indigenous youth 在教育.
Newland’s presentation focused on the past, present and future of schooling for Indigenous communities, spanning the creation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1860 to the publication of the landmark Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report in May of 2022.
“This (report) is the first time the United States Federal Government has held itself to account with honesty about what these schools were, and why they were put into place,” Newland said.
Newland is from the Bay Mills Indian Community (Ojibwe) near Sault Ste. Marie, where he recently completed his tenure as tribal 总统. Prior to that, Newland served as chief judge of the Bay 米尔斯部落法庭.
The event, hosted by the GVSU Office of Multicultural affairs, was 由林·巴德威尔协助 & 李维·里克特致开幕词 by 杰西·伯纳尔, chief of staff to the 总统 and vice 总统 包容与公平. Grand Valley’s Native American Advisory Council, created with the intention of supporting, elevating and advocating for Native American perspectives at Grand Valley and the first council of its kind in Michigan, was also present.
“Today’s program is just another example of our university trying to create a shared experience to deepen our learning,” Bernal said in his 介绍. “But importantly, it’s also an opportunity for us to commit to doing more to elevate the voices of our Indigenous community 和印第安人社区.”