History Colorado Report Lacking, Washington Post Study Finds


Participation by Indigenous Groups Needed in Boarding School Issue

Dr. James Jefferson, an elder of the Southern Ute tribe, has maintained that many more children died at the sites of Indian boarding schools than have been reported. The state of Colorado funded research into the matter and History Colorado issued a report in October, 2023. It was found to be woefully inadequate by many advocates of Native America, including the Association for Native American Sacred Trees and Places (NASTaP) of which Dr. Jefferson is the president. 

A study recently published by the Washington Post confirmed this shortcoming. By examining records, it was determined that at least 76 children died during incarceration at the Colorado sites, more than three times the number in the History Colorado report. According to NASTaP, this is just the beginning. More grave sites are yet to be discovered. 

Last year, Governor Polis of Colorado allocated $1 million more to studying the Indian boarding school issue. History Colorado was again given responsibility and they announced that listening sessions would be held so that survivors and descendants of boarding school victims could give their testimony. But, more than six months later, no listening sessions have been scheduled. Dr, Jefferson, who is 91 years old, would like to testify, and wonders when some kind of progress will take place. 

Library at Old Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School
Library at Old Fort Lewis boarding school, Hesperus, CO
The photo at left was taken in the library, open to the public, at Old Fort Lewis Indian boarding school. Maps and photos of the school are arrayed around the walls and tell the story of the children who were incarcerated there.


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