Kathy Hohcul apologizes for Native American boarding schools
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York issued a formal apology to the seneca Nation for the historical treatment of Native Americans at the Thomas Indian School.This apology marks the first of its kind from a sitting governor and comes after the tribal nation invited her to Irving, new York, where the school was located. During her visit, hochul acknowledged the “atrocities” and “enduring trauma” caused by the school, which operated from 1855 until 1957 and had a profound negative impact on its students. A framed copy of the apology was presented to Seneca President J. Conrad Seneca, whose family was directly affected by these events. Hochul emphasized the importance of this apology and expressed hope that it would encourage other governors to follow suit. This act follows previous steps by Hochul’s management to acknowledge the state’s role in these historical injustices, including the appointment of a deputy secretary for Indigenous Nations and the return of land to the Onondaga Nation.
Kathy Hohcul apologizes for New York’s role in Native American boarding schools
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) issued the first formal apology from a sitting governor to the Seneca Nation for a boarding school’s treatment of Native Americans.
Hochul was in Irving, New York, near the site of the Thomas Indian School, over two months after she was claimed, the tribal nation asked her to visit. While there she apologized for the “historical atrocities committed” there “and the enduring trauma.”
This apology was printed out into a framed document that Hochul presented to Seneca President J. Conrad Seneca. Notably, Seneca’s own father was a Thomas Indian School student and his grandmother attended a similar boarding school in Pennsylvania at the age of 11.
“I want this forever enshrined, visible to the rest of the state that this day occurred and I will say long overdue,” Hochul said. “Other governors should have preceded me.”
“Children’s lives were shattered. They were made to feel like they were unworthy because of who they were, how they looked and the language they spoke. Abuse and hatred were the lasting lessons,” Seneca said. “That abuse and hatred was carried forward by those who survived and was passed on to their children and families for generations.”
The Thomas Indian School was established in 1855 by Presbyterian missionaries until New York took ownership in 1875. It wasn’t until 1957, after hosting some 2,500 alumni, that the school closed for good.
The New York State Senate previously offered the tribal nation a resolution acknowledging the state’s participation in operating the school. This followed Hochul’s newly created role of First Deputy Secretary for Indigenous Nations, which went to Elizabeth Rule. Hochul also returned 1,000 acres to the Onondaga Nation last year.
STEFANIK EYES NY GUBERNATORIAL RACE AND TOUTS SHE’S IN ‘STRONGEST POSITION TO DEFEAT’ HOCHUL
Half of the Seneca Nation lives outside the Cattaraugus Territory, where the school and the William Seneca Administration Building remain. Its population consists of 8,000 descendants.
Hochul is in the middle of a reelection campaign. The Seneca Nation donated over $100,000 in political contributions to both Republican and Democratic efforts. While the tribal nation contributed to Rep. Timothy Kennedy’s (D-NY) campaign last year, it has yet to donate to Hochul according to Open Secrets.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Auto Amazon Links: Could not resolve the given unit type, . Please be sure to update the auto-insert definition if you have deleted the unit.