REMEMBERING. HONORING. COMMITTING TO TRUTH AND HEALING.
On September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, ReconcilingWorks joins Indigenous communities and the larger ELCA in honoring the children who were taken from their families, languages, cultures, and communities through the Indian boarding school system.
We honor the children who never returned home, the survivors who carry these experiences, and the generations of families and communities who continue to live with the lasting impacts of this history.
As people of faith, remembrance calls us to more than reflection. It calls us to truth-telling, accountability, repentance, and action.
The ELCA has acknowledged the involvement of Lutherans and predecessor church bodies in this painful history. Through its Indian Boarding Schools Truth Seeking & Truth Telling Initiative, the church is working to uncover records, educate communities, and support ongoing truth and healing.
We invite our Reconciling in Christ partners and faith communities to take action:
- Explore the ELCA’s Indian Boarding Schools Learning Toolkit.
- Host a congregational learning opportunity using the ELCA’s workshop and educational resources.
- Participate in the ELCA’s Truth Seeking & Truth Telling Initiative.
- Listen to Indigenous voices and support Indigenous-led efforts toward justice and healing.
Find these resources and learn how to get involved through the ELCA:
Indian Boarding Schools: Truth Seeking & Truth Telling Initiative
May our remembrance be rooted in truth, our repentance be reflected in action, and our commitment to justice extend beyond this day.
We remember. We honor. We commit to the ongoing work of healing and justice. 🧡
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