Stories, memories, and research from the traumatic boarding school era were discussed at the Third Permanent U.N. Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City in 2004. Communities and boarding school survivors are still becoming aware of the effects of the trauma experienced at school, and the aversion to discussing this history is having detrimental effects not just on the survivors but the community as a whole. Child abuse/neglect, substance abuse and violence experienced by Native American women are just some of the ways the trauma is manifesting itself. One of the speakers, Dr. Toledo-Benally says the healing process must come from Native communities.
Source: Karen Lynch. “Working to heal the wounds of boarding school.” July 27, 2012. The Native Press. http://www.thenativepress.com/education/index.php
