A significant reduction in federal funding has impacted projects aimed at documenting the systemic abuse of Indigenous children in U.S. government-run boarding schools. At least $1.6 million earmarked for capturing and digitizing these stories has been slashed under President Donald Trump’s administration, reflecting broader cost-cutting measures across federal programs. These cuts have affected numerous grants recently canceled by the National Endowment for the Humanities, highlighting a shift in federal priorities following an earlier investigation and apology by then-President Joe Biden.
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition experienced a loss of over $282,000, halting efforts to digitize more than 100,000 pages of boarding school records. This database is vital for Native Americans seeking information about relatives who attended these schools. The database has provided clarity and closure for many, including Roberta “Birdie” Sam, who discovered her family’s history with these institutions.
A letter dated April 2 from Michael McDonald, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, indicated that the grants no longer aligned with the agency’s needs and priorities. Attempts to reach the National Endowment for the Humanities and other federal offices for comment were unsuccessful.
For over 150 years, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in boarding schools, stripping them of their culture, language, and history. An investigation by the Interior Department reported at least 973 Native American children died in these government-funded schools, though the actual number is likely higher. These assimilation policies ended with the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978, but a full investigation only commenced during the Biden administration. In October, Biden issued an apology for the government’s role in these practices.
These funding cuts have adversely affected research and documentation projects. The Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Alaska Native Heritage Center lost $30,000 intended for recording oral histories of Alaskan elders. This loss coincided with the withdrawal of a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, intended for a boarding school exhibit.
Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland criticized the cuts, emphasizing their minimal impact on the federal budget while significantly hindering essential research programs. In April 2024, the National Endowment for the Humanities had announced $411,000 in awards to various tribal nations and organizations to explore the schools’ impact, more than half of which have since been rescinded.
The National Humanities Alliance documented these grant terminations, underscoring the setbacks faced by affected projects. John Campbell, of Tlingit and the Tulalip Tribes, shared how the coalition’s database provided insights into his parents’ boarding school experiences and the lasting trauma they endured. Such stories highlight the ongoing need for these historical records and the importance of preserving them for future generations.