NATIVE HOPE BLOG: Lasting and Intergenerational Trauma * Intergenerational Impact: The trauma is not limited to those who attended; it is passed down through generations, often manifesting as "boarding school syndrome" or complex PTSD. * Health Disparities: A study noted that boarding school attendees were significantly more likely to have chronic health issues, including a 300% higher risk of cancer and 80% higher risk of diabetes compared to those who did not attend. * Loss of Culture and Language: The schools were designed to "kill the Indian... and save the man," resulting in a massive loss of Native languages, spiritual practices, and family structures. * Mental Health and Addiction: The abuse, neglect, and severe discipline experienced in these institutions have been linked to ongoing issues with addiction and high rates of mental health disorders within Native communities". PBS:
 Recent Findings and Government Recognition * Widespread Deaths: A 2024 investigation confirmed that at least 973 Indigenous children died while attending federal boarding schools, a number expected to grow, with at least 74 marked and unmarked burial sites discovered. * Formal Apology: In October 2024, President Biden formally apologized for the federal boarding school system, calling it a "sin on our soul". * Ongoing Search for Truth: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is continuing to identify schools and document survivors' stories, with a 2025 report identifying 526 such institutions".  Equal Justice Initiative:  Boarding Schools Today While the era of forced assimilation has ended, a few boarding schools still operate on or near reservations today, often with a focus on cultural preservation and in partnership with tribes, rather than the assimilationist mission of the past.