Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025
A BILL
To establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Purposes
The purposes of this Act are—
to establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States, including other necessary advisory committees and subcommittees;
to formally investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian Boarding Schools, Indian Boarding School Polices, and the systematic and long-term effects of those schools and policies on Native American peoples;
to develop recommendations for Federal efforts based on the findings of the Commission; and
to promote healing for survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, the descendants of those survivors, and the communities of those survivors.
Sec. 3 Definitions
In this Act:
Commission— The term Commission means the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States established by section 101(a).
Federal and religious truth and healing advisory committee— The term Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee means the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee established by section 211(a).
Indian— The term Indian has the meaning given the term in section 6151 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7491).
Indian boarding school— The term Indian Boarding School means—
a site of an institution that—
provided on-site housing or overnight lodging;
was described in Federal records as providing formal academic or vocational training and instruction to Native Americans;
received Federal funds or other Federal support; and
was operational before 1969;
a site of an institution identified by the Department of the Interior in appendices A and B of the report entitled “Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report” and dated May 2022 (or a successor report); or
any other institution that implemented Indian Boarding School Policies, including an Indian day school.
Indian boarding school policies— The term Indian Boarding School Policies means Federal laws, policies, and practices purported to “assimilate” and “civilize” Native Americans that included psychological, physical, sexual, and mental abuse, forced removal from home or community, and identity-altering practices intended to terminate Native languages, cultures, religions, social organizations, or connections to traditional land.
Indian tribe— The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
Native american— The term Native American means an individual who is—
an Indian; or
a Native Hawaiian.
Native american truth and healing advisory committee— The term Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee means the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee established by the Commission under section 201(a).
Native hawaiian— The term Native Hawaiian has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
Native hawaiian organization— The term Native Hawaiian organization means a private nonprofit organization that—
serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians;
has as its primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians;
has Native Hawaiians serving in substantive and policymaking positions; and
has expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs.
Office of hawaiian affairs— The term Office of Hawaiian Affairs has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
Survivors truth and healing subcommittee— The term Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee means the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee established by section 121(a).
Trauma-informed care— The term trauma-informed care means holistic psychological and health care practices that include promoting culturally responsive practices, patient psychological, physical, and emotional safety, and environments of healing, trust, peer support, and recovery.
Tribal organization— The term Tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).