New York Governor Apologizes for Aboriginal Residential Schools
Hochul Apologizes for Atrocities at native American Boarding School
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday issued an apology for what she described as “atrocities” committed at a boarding school in the state,where Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to assimilation practices.
Speaking on Seneca Nation territory alongside tribal leaders, the Democratic governor stated that students at the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children endured “physical, emotional, and sexual assaults unimaginable” during the institution’s operation for over a century.
“Instead of being a refuge for orphaned children, it became a place of nightmares,” Hochul said.
A place that some would call a torture,ethnic cleaning room. This is what was going on here. We were trying to eradicate the long and proud story of the Senecas.
The school, located in western New York, operated from 1875 to 1957. More than 2,500 students from across the state attended. It was one of hundreds of such residential schools established across the United States.
Seneca Nation Response
J.Conrad Seneca,head of the Seneca Nation,whose father attended the school,characterized the apology as a meaningful acknowledgment of a “dark and tragic period” in the nation’s history.
“It is indeed a day that many thought would never happen,” he said in a statement following the event.
Healing takes time, but it also requires that the pain caused is accountable. We still feel this pain. Now, with the apologies of Governor Hochul, our healing process can continue.
Hochul met with survivors and their families during what was described as the first official visit by a New York governor to Seneca territory.
She emphasized the lasting impact of the school’s antagonistic surroundings on generations of tribal members.
“The children of this school did not feel like having a family. They felt alone,” she said.
No one made them hugs or kisses to wish them good night, so much so that when they have become parents in turn, they were not conditioned to take care of them or to give love.
Hochul pledged to include funding in her budget for the creation of new educational materials focusing on local Native American communities and their contributions.
“It is a question of better understanding the people who live on our lands and what they have experienced.It’s a first step forward,” she stated.
Originally established in 1855 by Presbyterian missionaries as the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, the school was later taken over by the state in 1875. It was named in honor of Philip E. Thomas, an early benefactor and president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The institution was one of over 400 government-supported schools across the country designed to assimilate Native American youth.
These schools, operating for approximately 150 years, had a devastating impact on Native American communities. Staff members sought to strip children of their traditions and heritage, cutting their hair, forbidding them from speaking their native languages, and forcing them to perform manual labor.
Students, forcibly separated from their families, endured torture, sexual abuse, and mistreatment at the hands of school officials. It is estimated that over 900 children died in these schools,most of which closed or were repurposed decades ago.
Skepticism Remains
In October 2024, than-president Joe Biden apologized to native Americans for the federal government’s role in the boarding school system during a visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.
However, some members of the Seneca Nation expressed skepticism regarding Hochul’s gesture.
Lori Quigley, a professor at the University of Niagara whose mother attended the Thomas school for a decade as a child, voiced hope that the governor’s actions would extend beyond mere words.
“Apologies, this is one thing,” she said before the visit. “What actions will it take to recognize this fact? These trauma still has an impact on our communities.”
Matthew Hill, a Seneca Nation member whose father was among the last students before the school’s closure, described the visit as “hollow words.”
He noted that the Hochul management and the Seneca Nation have been engaged in years-long negotiations regarding the state’s share of revenue from Seneca Nation casinos.
“They say they are sorry for the school, but they will continue to extort money from the form of game income,” Hill said. “It’s a joke.”
Hochul’s Apology for Atrocities at a Native American Boarding School: A Q&A Guide
This guide delves into the recent apology issued by New York Governor Kathy Hochul regarding the atrocities at the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, a former Native American boarding school. We’ll explore the ancient context, the impact on the Seneca Nation, and the ongoing importance of this apology.
Q: What did new York Governor Kathy Hochul apologize for?
A: Governor Hochul apologized for the “atrocities” that occurred at the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, a boarding school where Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected too assimilation practices. She specifically addressed the “physical, emotional, and sexual assaults” endured by students.
Q: Where and when did Governor Hochul make this apology?
A: The apology was delivered on Tuesday,on Seneca Nation territory,alongside tribal leaders.
Q: What was the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children?
A: The Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, also known as the Thomas Indian School, was a boarding school located in western New York. It operated from 1875 to 1957 and was one of hundreds of residential schools established across the United States. It was originally founded by Presbyterian missionaries in 1855, and then taken over by the state of New York in 1875.
Q: Who attended the thomas Indian School?
A: Over 2,500 students from across New York State attended the Thomas Indian School.
[Image of the Thomas Indian School or a relevant historical image of boarding schools from the provided article (if available)]
Q: What was the purpose of these boarding schools?
A: The primary aim of these government-supported schools was to assimilate Native American children into mainstream American culture. This involved stripping them of their traditions, culture, and languages.
Q: What were some of the practices employed at the Thomas Indian School and similar institutions?
A: Students were subjected to various practices designed to erase their Native identity. These included:
Forcibly removing children from their families
Cutting their hair
Prohibiting them from speaking their native languages
Forcing them to perform manual labor and other forms of strict discipline
students endured torture, sexual abuse, and mistreatment. It is indeed estimated over 900 students died at these schools.
Q: What was the Seneca Nation’s response to Governor Hochul’s apology?
A: J. Conrad Seneca,head of the Seneca Nation,called the apology a meaningful acknowledgement of a “dark and tragic period” in the nation’s history,describing it as a day they thought would never happen. He also stated that the healing process can now continue because of Governor Hochul’s apology.
Q: Did everyone in the Seneca Nation accept the apology positively?
A: No, while the apology was welcomed by some, skepticism remains within the Seneca Nation. Notably, Lori Quigley, whose mother attended the school, and Matthew Hill, whose father was a student, expressed concerns about the authenticity and the potential for the apology to be just “hollow words,” while important issues like the ongoing revenue negotiations from Seneca Nation casinos were at odds with the apology.
Q: what specific actions did Governor Hochul pledge to take?
A: Governor Hochul pledged to include funding in her budget for the creation of new educational materials focusing on local Native American communities and their contributions.
Q: Has anyone else apologized for the boarding school system?
A: Yes, in October 2024, then-President Joe Biden apologized to Native Americans for the federal government’s role in the boarding school system during a visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.
Q: What is the lasting impact of the Thomas Indian School and similar institutions?
A: The boarding school system had a devastating and lasting impact on Native American communities. The trauma inflicted on children has affected generations, leading to challenges related to family bonds, cultural identity, and overall well-being. As Hochul stated, it has impacted how these children, and ultimately their offspring, are able to form families.
Q: Why is it important to acknowledge and apologize for the atrocities at the Thomas Indian school?
A: Acknowledging the atrocities is a crucial step toward truth and reconciliation. It allows for the acknowledgement of the pain inflicted, enables the healing process, and promotes a better understanding of the historical context of Native American experiences. It also provides a framework for future actions that could help improve the lives of communities impacted on these horrific acts.
Q: What does the future look like for healing and reconciliation?
A: The future of healing and reconciliation will likely involve initiatives focused on:
Continued dialog and engagement between governments and Native American communities.
Supporting survivors and their families.
Developing educational programs that teach about the history and experiences of Native Americans.
* Addressing systemic issues that perpetuate the legacy of trauma.