It has been two months since I last blogged about my book, Sky Woman Lives in Me. I hope this finds all reading this, doing well.
Kudos to Deb Haaland, The Department of Interior Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, for the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report that was published this May, 2022. The entire report can be found online at: https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/bsi_investigative_report_may_2022_508.pdf
Just click on the link above to see the investigative report. I recently sent testimony to the House of Representatives, to show my support of passage of H.R. 5444/S.2907. My testimony talks about my Great Grandmother, Sophia Huff, being forced to attend Carlisle, as I had written in my book, Sky Woman Lives in Me, in 2016. After fifteen years of research about my great grandmother and self-publishing my book, I am so grateful to Our Creator, God, that the hidden history of Indian Boarding Schools, here in the United States, is finally coming out for all to learn about. Kudos to the National American Indian Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) for all the work they are doing to bring out the hidden truth about America’s Indian Boarding Schools. If any survivors or descendants of US Indian Boarding Schools have stories about what happened to them or relatives in America’s Indian Boarding Schools, written testimony is allowed by the House of Representatives until May 26, 2022. If you have questions, go to info@nabshc.org.
Below is an example for your written statement to the House by May 26, 2022. This draft was written by NABS.
1) Identify yourself, your Tribe, and the boarding school you attended
a. Boarding School: what school did you or your family member attend, and what
year(s) did you/they attend?
2) State your position of support for “H.R. 5444 the Truth and Healing Commission on
Indian Boarding School Policies Act”
3) Personal story that you are comfortable sharing. This is often the most powerful part.
4) Conclusion: Restate/review your position at the end of your testimony
5) Thank the committee or task force for the opportunity to speak
a. “Thank you to the Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of
the United States”
There is not a limit to the length of your statements. Your written testimony will be on record in
the House of Congress.
You can send your written testimony online to HNRCDocs@mail.house.gov Please send a copy (CC NABS) at info@nabshc.org
The H.R. 5444/S.2907-The truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act needs to be passed so the investigation of Indian Boarding Schools here in the United States can continue. Many indigenous children, known and unknown, died at Boarding Schools here in the United States. They were buried at cemeteries on the school grounds. Let’s bring them home! Share your stories to shine the light on these children. Sincerely, Roberta Capasso
Sky Woman Lives in Me 