Readers react to Post’s investigative report on Indian boarding schools

I finished your beautifully written and documented story on the abduction and molestation of Native American children in Catholic run prison schools. It left me profoundly sad and intensely angered by this horrible religion. That this was sanctioned by the government, and these children were taken away from their families is further insult. The Catholic Church is a despicable, corrupt, and disreputable organization that thrives on secrecy and protection of pedophiles. This church has destroyed the lives of countless youth, and it disturbs me that they and the government have not adequately apologized nor compensated the victims of such horrible abuse.

— Benjamin Schneider

This is the kind of story that needs to be told and taught in all our schools.

— Edwin S. Rothschild, McLean, Va.

Thank you to you and your co-writer for this heartbreaking article. This is not the first time I’ve learned about this abuse, but I’m grateful that the Post has done so much research and written about it so well. You may already have read Sherman Alexie’s memoir about his mother. I’ve listened to it twice, because it is read by Alexie. One of the many heartbreaking & infuriating things that he & his classmates endured in grade school on the reservation was being placed in torture positions by the teacher nun. I admit to getting very emotional about the evils of the Catholic Church. I hope the Post continues to look at the various ways in which Indian children and their adults were harmed over the centuries.

— Mary Granger, Seattle

I applaud the Washington Post for consistently great investigative journalism. Most of what I read in the WP helps me to understand the wheels of politics and commerce. It helps me grow as an informed citizen and consumer. The many articles in the past couple decades, that focus on child abuse and highly schemed coverups by Roman Catholic clergy, have helped me spiritually. I have been able to completely dismiss the notion that this specific religion is Christ led and that “The Church” prioritizes the welfare of vulnerable persons over its own health as a pampered and prestigious financial entity. I am now free to seek the nature of my creator through nature and more credible messengers.

— GratefulWPsubscriber

Thank you, WaPo, for this extensive report. I live in Colorado where many people I know are aware of this ugly history. But this awareness may not be widespread — I’ve known several people when I lived in the Chicago area who didn’t even know there are tribes who remain in existence and in cohesive groups!

To anyone visiting Denver, I highly recommend visiting the 4th floor of the Denver Art Museum to see their phenomenal collection of art by Native Americans. Included are some various kinds of depictions of the Indian schools.

— mikhiker

Thank you so much for printing this. I had no idea that Native families were still being separated until 1969. That means Native kids my age — my age! — were still being tortured by our government while I was going to school. I’m appalled. This is not just something ‘our ancestors’ did. Our government did it, and within Boomer lifetimes.

— MNgrrrlz

WaPo, as a paying subscriber, today, this report made me proud. I learnt something new. More in-depth investigative journalism like this, please.

— Peetia

Heartbreaking, and excellent reporting. This is the kind of well-researched, in-depth reporting for which I’m a grateful subscriber.

I’m Canadian though born in Detroit; my adoptive country has also started, in the last few years, to come to grips with the ghoulish fate of far too many Native children my government sent to boarding schools run by both Catholic and Protestant religious authorities.

That my native country committed similar sins is a terrible though not surprising reality. This is a stain on both of our countries’ very soul.

However, while I was profoundly saddened to learn of such treatment in the past, I hate neither my country nor my skin color (white) because of it. This knowledge has only strengthened my resolve to respect Natives and their wonderfully varied cultures.

No one should be fooled by cries from some among you that knowing about past wrongs by one side somehow leads any of its members to ‘hate’ it or themselves. This is a red herring I suspect covers nothing but bigotry and intolerance.

— Alethe

This is such an in-depth and detailed piece of journalism. I thought I knew a lot about my ancestors and tribe. There was still a lot here in this article I learned. Thank you.

— MarieMe2

Thank you for my history class for this week, month, year and a lifetime.

— Jahmaker

Thanks to each of you who so skillfully prepared this heart-wrenching account.

— marvymink

OUTSTANDING PIECE. Thank you for shining such a bright light on what has happened to the native people of this continent.

— LeftL1bertarian

This is a more general comment that I appreciate not just the reporting within the accompanying in-depth article, but also that WaPo has been better about the underlying bases of its reporting of late. To be clear, the paper has always provided links and such, but I’ve noticed more extensive notes regarding its methodology.

Especially when reporting on something that some people may not want to hear (ie, a story that tarnishes narratives some people may hold dear about our country or perhaps the merits of organized religion), it’s easy for people to dismiss information as being mere opinion. Academic/journalistic rigor pushes back against that instinct, at least for rational readers.

That is the level of journalism I, as a reader, am willing to pay for; why I prefer to get my news from well-established sources as opposed to randos on YouTube, IG, TikTok, etc. it’s much maligned, but journalism and real research is a professional endeavor with professional standards.

Anyway, I’m always quick to highlight my complaints when reporting seems sloppy, so I thought it only fair to rant a bit about something positive.

— Douglas Voltaire

Thank you for this article. There is not nearly enough coverage of the cultural genocide the United States government perpetrated on Native Americans for over 100 years.

— Graycal

You think the national debt is large? That number multiplied by itself wouldn’t begin to cover what white people owe to Native Americans. If you ever hear a white farmer complain about anything related to business, remind them they are farming on stolen property.

— Tahhmato

This is the biggest stain, along with slavery, on our country’s legacy. I am disgusted by the atrocities done to the Native American children and families, as an American citizen and practicing Roman Catholic. How does this country and church ever repair the damage done to the African American and Native American people?

— Jojopooh

why don’t folks notice the script. this was done everywhere they were. the sun did not set on the British empire and all those colonized nations deal with the same issues. beyond the upfront murder, infestation and death, you had outright cruelty. Enslavement, forced assimilation, etc. it’s no wonder the native and aboriginal people deal with the same issues across the globe. Australians, Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, Irish, etc. Yet, we still believe in this god and the good of the church. we have been beaten down to be beholden to false principles that have robbed people of their true selves and their culture.

— OK Now

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