We know that the trauma and impact of the boarding schools continues to affect people in our wider Oglala Lakota community. The studies on intergenerational trauma from the boarding schools make this especially clear. The Truth and Healing process is committed to a wide process of community engagement that seeks both to listen to and amplify the voices of those affected by the boarding schools.
We also acknowledge that not everyone who is connected to boarding school history has the same feelings about this topic. We honor this diversity of feeling and experience. Some think of their boarding school days as traumatic, while others have shared that they cherish their time at boarding school. Our commitment to a process of inclusion means that all of these voices are valued.
Oral History and Testimony Collection Project
Mary Irving and Cecilia Fire Thunder, two former boarders themselves, along with Rudy Red Dog Balles, have taken the lead in collecting the testimony of former boarders through an oral history project. So far, they have collected over 30 testimonies from people who boarded at Holy Rosary Mission. These are stories collected by audio recording or video, depending on the boarder's preference. They will be housed in an archive and made available for public research and education according to the boarder’s consent.
If you have family members or know of anyone who boarded at Holy Rosary, please reach out to Cecilia, Mary, Red Dog, or Maka.
October 2022 Update on Outreach to Former Boarders