government
As Native American boarding schools project ends, survivors describe feeling honored and restored
By Nancy Marie Spears/The Imprint, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 5 min read
Hundreds of Indigenous people have testified. They’ve sobbed, cursed and laughed in spite of it all. Many told stories about their time in boarding schools that they’ve kept inside for decades, finally able to begin recovering from childhood trauma.An oral history project led by the National Nati...
Key takeaway Mad Plume, now 74, said since her interview she’s been more grounded and has been able to let go of some of the haunting memories: a dusty blue Greyhound bus driving her away from her parents’ red pickup truck.
Why this matters in The Pearland
In Pearland , where the city's diverse community includes Indigenous residents, the conclusion of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition's oral history project serves as a poignant reminder of the need for local acknowledgment and support. The testimonies of survivors like Iona Mad Plume and Gene Bozicic, who shared their experiences of trauma and healing, underscore the importance of preserving the history of Native American boarding schools. As the project's collection of video testimonies is set to be preserved in the Library of Congress, Pearland's community can reflect on its own role in promoting awareness and understanding of this painful chapter in American history. The city's schools and community organizations can explore ways to incorporate the stories and lessons of the boarding school survivors into their curricula and programming, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic environment for all residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hundreds of Indigenous people have testified. They’ve sobbed, cursed and laughed in spite of it all. Many told stories about their time in boarding schools that they’ve kept inside for decades, finally able to begin recovering from childhood trauma.An oral history project led by the National Nati...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nancy Marie Spears/The Imprint, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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