Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025

Investigation of Historical Impacts: The Commission will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the social, cultural, economic, emotional, and physical effects of boarding school policies (Section 111(a)(1)). This could provide much-needed clarity and documentation of the history of these institutions.

Promotion of Healing: A primary purpose of the Act is to promote healing for survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, their descendants, and their communities (Section 2).

Trauma-Informed Support: The bill requires that meetings and convenings provide access to adequate trauma-informed care services for participants and communities (Section 111(b)(2)).

Burial and Repatriation: The Act includes provisions to help locate and identify burial sites and provides for the reburial of cultural items on Federal land as agreed upon by relevant parties (Section 111(d) and Section 302).

Development of Recommendations: The Commission will develop recommendations for Federal efforts, including how the government can acknowledge its role and modify existing statutes or policies (Section 111(c)).