CHIEF BENJAMIN BARNES AT GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY AHEAD OF PRESIDENT BIDEN’S APOLOGY FOR INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL ERA

Chief Ben Barnes is at Gila River Indian Community and will attend tomorrow’s event where President Joe Biden is expected to deliver a historic presidential apology for the federal Indian boarding school era.

“I’m pleased to be alongside so many boarding school survivors and allies to the cause of exposing the truth of this dark chapter in our shared history,” says Barnes, who is a member of the board of directors for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

“Survivors have said receiving an apology for the atrocities that occurred in these institutions is important to them,” Barnes continues. “I’m looking forward to hearing President Biden’s remarks tomorrow morning and hope he will propose further action to advance boarding school truthtelling and healing.”

###

Media contact: media@shawnee-tribe.com

Back

More News

Jun 3, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THERE IS NO PLAN B – THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING

YOUR CAN COULD BE BACK ON THE SHELF IN JUST 60 DAYS! You enjoy your beverage and recycle your aluminum can. Recycling trucks collect the cans and take them to a facility to be sorted. The cans are cleaned and shredded into small pieces. The aluminum pieces are melted down and rolled into large sheets. […]

Read More
Jun 3, 2026

Rain Barrel Installation and Watershed Learning Experience

The Shawnee Tribe’s Environmental Department recently hosted a hands-on learning experience focused on water systems, runoff, and watershed education in the Miami community.  During the event, students participated in the installation of a rain barrel system while learning how rainfall moves through local watersheds and contributes to flooding. 

Read More
Jun 3, 2026

WEEMEYAKWE: THE CASE OF THE FIVE BLACK STONE SPHERES

WEEMEYAKWE (WHERE WE COME FROM) By A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack “Two heads are better than one,” the old saying goes. With twice the brainpower and two times the life experiences to draw from, we are twice as likely to solve a puzzle, make sense of an enigma, or figure out a mystery.  The […]

Read More
May 29, 2026

CONGRATULATIONS, SHAWNEE GRADUATES!

We are looking forward to celebrating the following grads at the 2026 Honor Banquet on Saturday, June 27. Presley Glass, WestMoore High School Haiden Fetters, Wagoner High School Sage Hood, Vinita High School Ash (Ayva) Valadez, Vallivue High School Valarie Stewart, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center Delanie “Lanie” Springer, University of Missouri Christopher Thomsen, The […]

Read More
May 20, 2026

LUNCH & LEARN WEDNESDAY: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ZOOM COMMUNITY MEETING

This Lunch & Learn social/emotional wellbeing series is to teach safe and healthy relationship skills. This class is for anyone looking to build healthier, safer, and stronger relationships—especially those who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, codependency, attachment issues, or challenges in marriage and relationships. It is also helpful for anyone wanting to improve communication, […]

Read More
Apr 27, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THERE IS NO PLAN B - THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING

There’s only one Earth — and it’s up to all of us to help take care of it. Why Recycling Matters: ♻️ Reduces Landfill WasteItems that can be recycled take up unnecessary space in landfills. Recycling keeps usable materials in circulation instead of buried in the ground. 🌳 Conserves Natural ResourcesRecycling paper saves trees. Recycling aluminum saves […]

Read More
Apr 21, 2026

MAY IS MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PERSONS (MMIP) AWARENESS MONTH

May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the high rates of violence experienced by Native American and Alaska Native communities. MMIP highlights the urgent need to address the number of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year. Native communities face higher rates of […]

Read More
Apr 2, 2026

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for survivors. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, in any community, and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including Native American communities, who are disproportionately impacted. Sexual violence means any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. This can include rape, […]

Read More
See All News