FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A first-of-its-kind federal study of Native American boarding schools that for over a century sought to assimilate Indigenous children into white society has identified more than 500 student deaths at the institutions, but officials expect that figure to grow exponentially as research continues.
Highlights
- First-of-its-kind federal study of Native American boarding schools has identified more than 500 student deaths at the institutions.
- Officials expect that figure to grow exponentially as research continues.
- Interior Department report expands to more than 400 the number of schools that were established or supported by the U.S.
- government, starting in the early 19th century and continuing in some cases until the late 1960s.
- The 408 schools operated in 37 states or territories, many of them in Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico.
- The agency identified the deaths in records for about 20 of the schools.