Generations of Native children were removed from their homes and sent to schools which functioned like assimilation camps run by the government and various church denominations, including Quakers. Many people do not realize that some of these schools were still functioning into the 1970’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A focus the 2023 Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting annual sessions was the plenary session with three Alaska Native guests. All generously told their stories of trauma at the hands of boarding schools. Cathy Walling and Jan Bronson of Alaska Friends Conference introduced the speakers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jamiann S\u2019eiltin Hasselquist<\/strong> (Tling\u00edt) educated attendees about the root of her People\u2019s oppression: the Doctrine of Discovery, which is ultimately a failure to see all people of color as fully human. Jamiann shared her journey of seeking and finding her cultural and personal history. She ended her presentation with a list of possible actions of reparation and repair. Jim LaBelle’s ASK<\/strong> is that those who hear their testimony support the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States by sending a letter to their House Representatives. This bi-partisan bill was initially introduced in 2021. Sen. Lisa Murkowski reintroduced the bill (S.761) in February of 2025 and it was unanimously passed by the Senate on March 5, 2025. The House version HR 7325 was reintroduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Rep Sharice Davids (D-KS) on Feb 3, 2026 (boardingschoolhealing.org\/the-indian-boarding-school-commission-bill\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional resources on right relations with Indigenous Peoples<\/strong> can be found on the Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting website: scymfriends.org\/resources4rightrelations<\/a>. Much of the text on this page is from this resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This video was not filmed on professional equipment. Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting makes it available for people who want to learn from and reflect upon it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ILYM wants to thank Alaskan Natives Jim & Susan LaBelle, for generously sharing their vulnerable experience in Native “boarding schools.” They shared this talk at Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting with the support of Alaska Friends Conference Toward Right Relationship Friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parts of this video can be difficult to watch. You may want to watch with others for support and to reflect on feelings that this video may raise.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Schedule of group showings of the video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jim LaBelle<\/strong> (I\u00f1upiaq), is a former President of the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and whose mother was an I\u00f1upiaq Quaker, described in detail the dehumanizing experiences he suffered at a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school. He had a long journey as an adult to be reintroduced to his culture and has spent decades working to pass that cultural knowledge on to future generations.
Susan LaBelle<\/strong> (Suqpiaq) spoke about a boarding school experience where her family relationships were treated as unimportant. Susan went on to become a fierce advocate for keeping Native children with their families and communities. Her organization helped parents and other relatives take the steps necessary to regain custody of their children. She is a retired professor from the University of Alaska School of Social Work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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