Biden Apologizes to Native Americans, Insists Nothing is Wrong with Him

On Thursday, President Joe Biden traveled to Arizona, pledging to formally apologize to Native American communities for the historical trauma inflicted by the U.S. government’s boarding school policy. The policy, which forcibly removed Native children from their homes and cultures, led to decades of intergenerational trauma. Biden expressed that this apology was long overdue and sought to recognize the government’s role in the suffering and loss experienced by Indigenous families.

“I’m heading to do something that should have been done a long time ago,” Biden stated before his departure. “To make a formal apology to the Indian Nations for the way we treated their children for so many years.”

BIDEN: "I'm heading to do something that should have been done a long time ago; to make a formal apology to the Indian Nations for the way we treated their children for so many years."pic.twitter.com/UUr0wPho3p

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 24, 2024

On Friday, in front of members of Arizona’s Gila River Indian Community, Biden delivered an address that recounted the troubling history of the U.S. boarding school system. His remarks provided a somber reflection on the thousands of Indigenous children removed from their homes, deprived of their language, and forced to abandon their cultural heritage. For many Indigenous families, these boarding schools were sites of pain, where children as young as four were forcibly taken, isolated, and indoctrinated with practices that erased their culture and identity.

“For Indigenous peoples, these places served as sites of trauma and terror for more than 100 years,” Biden stated. He further detailed the toll, explaining that tens of thousands of Indigenous children were affected, often with devastating outcomes. “Nearly 1,000 documented Native child deaths, though the real number is likely to be much, much higher. Lost generations, culture, and language. Lost trust. It’s horribly, horribly wrong. It’s a sin on our soul,” he continued, emphasizing the nation’s collective responsibility.

“I formally apologize as president of the United States of America for what we did,” he declared, stressing the importance of acknowledging past injustices to foster healing and reconciliation.

While Biden’s address aimed to underscore the weight of the apology, he appeared to stumble over his words at times, leading to comments intended to assure the audience of his mental acuity. “There’s nothing wrong with me,” he said during a pause, as he continued his speech, despite evident challenges in his delivery. The moment stirred reactions online, with some supporters defending his intent and message, while critics raised questions about his cognitive health. Such moments of visible struggle have fueled ongoing scrutiny from those concerned about the president’s ability to effectively handle the demands of office.

Biden's brain breaks in real time, insists there's "nothing wrong" with him.

He's in a state of rapid cognitive decline, which Kamala covered up for YEARS — and has never once answered for it. It's the scandal of the century. pic.twitter.com/eHrxkyOzTG

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 25, 2024

For many, however, Biden’s remarks in Arizona symbolized an official recognition of one of the most painful chapters in U.S.-Indigenous relations. The Indigenous boarding school system, often operated by the federal government and religious institutions, caused widespread trauma, and left a lasting impact on generations of Native Americans. The policy aimed to “assimilate” Indigenous children into mainstream American culture, resulting in the loss of traditional languages, cultural practices, and family connections.

Native leaders and activists who attended the event noted that the apology marked a critical step but stressed the need for continued action. Many have called for comprehensive investigations into the full scope of the harm caused, as well as reparative measures that address the long-term impacts of the boarding schools.

Biden’s apology comes at a time when the U.S. and Canadian governments have faced mounting pressure to address the harms inflicted by the boarding school policies. In Canada, recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former Indigenous residential school sites sparked public outcry and led to nationwide efforts toward acknowledgment and reconciliation. Similarly, Native American communities in the United States are calling for a broader acknowledgment of the trauma endured by their ancestors, advocating for official records of unmarked graves and substantial investments in cultural restoration and education programs.

This week’s apology was Biden’s latest effort to address historic injustices faced by Native Americans. During his presidency, he has pushed for more federal funding directed toward Indigenous healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural preservation. His administration has supported several initiatives aimed at improving conditions on reservations, expanding access to resources, and protecting lands that hold cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous nations.

Despite these advancements, many Native American advocates maintain that deeper systemic change is necessary, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment rather than symbolic gestures. They argue that reparative efforts should include more significant federal funding for tribal education, healthcare services, and cultural preservation programs.