Biden condemns U.S. Indian boarding schools [Video]

GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY — President Biden apologized to Native Americans on Friday for the U.S. government’s role in creating and operating Indian boarding schools that for 150 years aimed to assimilate Native children by taking them from their families and erasing their languages and culture.

As he spoke, a large crowd of tribal leaders and community members cheered. Survivors of the schools cried, listening to words they said they never thought would come.

“The federal government has never formally apologized for what happened until today. I formally apologize,” Biden said as people yelled out, “Thank you, Joe!”

“It did take place,” the president continued. “Darkness can hide much. It erases nothing. Some injustices are heinous and horrific. They can’t be buried. We must know the good, the bad, the truth. We do not erase history. We make history. We learn from history, and we remember so we can heal …