The Archdiocese is committed to working transparently with American Indian communities, seeking the truth about the painful history of Indian boarding schools. We are grateful to survivors of Indian boarding schools and their descendants who have shared their stories, and the American Indian communities that are seeking truth and justice for their loved ones.
Read a statement from Archbishop Hebda regarding the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative report released May 11, 2022.
The Catholic Spirit published several articles examining the Church’s role in this tragic era:
- Minnesota to host 2023 national conference focused on Indigenous people
- Pope’s Canada trip: Beginning and ending with ‘sorry’
- Archbishop Hebda acknowledges Indian boarding school report with sadness, an apology
- Report identifies abuses of Native American children in boarding schools
- Archdiocese ran rural Indian boarding school from 1884-1892
- Troubling past: The Church’s role in America’s Indian boarding school era
In November 2022, Shawn Phillips spoke on Voice: A Catholic Charities Podcast about his ministry within our Native American communities, the importance of learning about our interconnected histories, and how this work can be seen in the context of Catholic Social Teaching.
In April 2022, Archbishop Hebda spoke on the Practicing Catholic show about the tragic history of Indian boarding schools, and Archdiocesan archivist Allison Spies offered greater insights on a later show that same month..
In December 2021, Minnesota bishops met with local tribal leaders to explore the Church’s role in Indian boarding school history, and Pope Francis met with Canadian Indigenous on this issue.
Salt & Light TV produced a documentary on this issue, Walking Together, that premieres July 17. Learn more.
Please pray for all American Indian communities during this difficult time of discovery. Find updates on this work in The Catholic Spirit.