Washington committee is probing history of Indian boarding schools

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Attorney General’s Office announced Tuesday the five members of the Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee. The committee will study how Washington state can address the harms caused by the government’s historical role in the shameful legacy of Indian boarding schools.

The committee members are Edward Washines (Yakama), Tamika LaMere (Anishinaabe enrolled with the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana), Rebecca Black (Quinault), Abriel Johnny (Tlingit and Cowichan First Nations), and Diana Bob (Lummi).

The five new members of the Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee will hold public listening sessions across the state over the next year to begin a two-year journey toward uncovering the full history of Indian boarding schools in Washington.

During the 2023 session, the Washington Legislature directed the Attorney General’s Office to convene the Tribal Advisory Committee to study boarding schools in Washington through a truth and reconciliation model. The committee’s five members must be citizens from federally recognized tribes in diverse geographic areas across the state. They must also either have personal, policy or specific expertise with Indian boarding school history and policies, or have expertise in traditionally and culturally appropriate truth and healing endeavors.

The committee had its first meeting on September 26.

Map from the Bureau of Indian Affairs