In a rare and deeply emotional moment, President Joe Biden delivered a formal apology to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona for the U.S. government’s brutal history of Native American boarding schools. Though the 81-year-old president stumbled over the community’s name, he quickly laughed it off with, “There’s nothing wrong with me,” a light-hearted quip that brought laughter from the audience. Yet, the gravity of his message was unmistakable: an official acknowledgment of the traumatic boarding school system that tore apart Indigenous families for over a century.
The visit marks Biden’s historic role as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Gila River Indian Community. “I say this with all sincerity; this is one of the most consequential things I’ve ever done in my whole career,” Biden told the crowd. His apology directly addressed the legacy of a federal program that, from the early 1800s to the 1970s, separated tens of thousands of Native American children from their families, placing them in boarding schools where they faced forced assimilation and, often, abuse. “I formally apologize. As President of the United States of America for what we did. I formally apologize,” he said, acknowledging this painful history in an effort to mend generational wounds.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, herself a Native American, described the apology as a watershed moment for Indigenous communities. Speaking emotionally about her personal connection to the history of boarding schools, Haaland shared how the program had affected her own family, noting, “This terrible chapter was hidden from our history books, but now our administration’s work will ensure that no one will ever forget.”
While Biden’s visit was widely welcomed, it wasn’t without tension. A pro-Palestinian protester briefly interrupted the speech, shouting concerns about ongoing global violence. Biden paused, responding compassionately, “There’s a lot of innocent people being killed,” before redirecting the focus to his message of reconciliation with Native communities.
The president’s remarks touched on his early lessons from the late Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye, who introduced him to the term “Indian nations” with gravity and respect. First Lady Jill Biden has also been active in Native advocacy, making ten visits to Native communities since Biden took office.
In today’s charged political climate, Biden’s words reflect a commitment to addressing historical injustices. His apology serves as a formal gesture to recognize and redress a brutal chapter in U.S. history, marking a moment of acknowledgment that many believe is long overdue.
