SC Oklahoma News

Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)’s bill, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024, which he co-led with Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03), passed through the House Education and Workforce Committee markup. This legislation aims to investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, their policies, and the long-term impacts on Native American communities.

Following the passage of this bill through full committee markup, Congressman Cole released a statement:

“Indian boarding schools have had devastating impacts on Native communities. Yet, for so many years, the true stories about what happened to these Native children are unknown,” said Congressman Cole. “As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest-serving Native American in the House of Representatives, it is a priority of mine to properly represent our Indian communities in Congress. Therefore, I am committed to investigating the tragic abuses that occurred at these boarding schools and bringing light to this dark chapter in our nation’s history. This Commission will hopefully bring these communities one step closer to healing and peace for themselves, their families, and future generations, and I would like to thank Chairwoman Virginia Foxx for moving this bill through the legislative process.”