Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026

Plain-English Summary: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026

This bill would establish an official government commission to investigate and document the history of Indian boarding schools in the United States. From roughly the 1800s through the mid-1900s, the federal government operated or supported schools that forcibly removed Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and communities, often prohibiting them from speaking their languages or practicing their cultures. The commission would be tasked with gathering historical records, hearing testimony from survivors and their descendants, and producing a comprehensive account of what happened and how those policies affected Indigenous communities.

The commission would directly affect Native American tribes and individuals — particularly survivors of boarding schools and their families — by giving them a formal platform to share their experiences and have those experiences officially recognized by the federal government. Tribal nations and Indigenous communities would also be involved in shaping how the commission operates, with the goal of ensuring the process is guided by those most impacted. Researchers, historians, and federal agencies holding relevant records would also be expected to participate or cooperate.

Beyond documenting history, the bill would require the commission to develop recommendations for how the government might address or repair the harms caused by these policies. This could include suggestions related to language preservation, cultural restoration, or other forms of acknowledgment. The bill has been referred to two House committees — Education and Workforce, and Natural Resources — where it will be reviewed before any further votes take place.