MASHANTUCKET, CT – Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler joined a small delegation of tribal leaders aboard Air Force One to accompany President Joe Biden and Secretary Deb Haaland to a historic ceremony held at the Gila River Indian Reservation where President Biden issued a formal apology for the federal government’s role in forcibly placing Native American children in boarding schools for over 150 years. The delegation included Stephen Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Indian Community; Mark Macarro, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians; Whitney Gravelle, President of the Bay Mills Indian Community; Gena Kakkak, Chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Tribe; and Deborah Parker, CEO of the Native American Boarding School Coalition.
During the flight, Chairman Butler and fellow leaders engaged in candid conversations with President Biden and Secretary Haaland, reflecting on the lasting impact of boarding schools and other federal policies still impacting Native communities today. Chairman Butler and the other leaders also recognized President Biden’s consistent dedication to Native American issues and his administration’s commitment to justice and healing for tribal nations.
“It was the honor of a lifetime to be invited by President Biden to join him personally for this historic moment,” said Chairman Butler. “His administration’s commitment to Indian Country is truly unprecedented, and his respect for our sovereignty has been unwavering throughout his career. The President’s apology is a necessary step toward healing the deep wounds left by a dark chapter in our nation’s history and signals a shared commitment to truth and reconciliation.”
Chairman Butler emphasized that, while President Biden’s apology is a significant milestone, sustained efforts to address past injustices are essential. He highlighted the need for lasting investments in Native education, healthcare, cultural revitalization, mental health services, and economic development to support Indian Country’s ongoing journey toward healing and resilience. He also reiterated the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s continued support for justice for those impacted by the federal boarding school policies.