Webinar: Understanding the Impacts of Indian Boarding Schools

Beginning in 1801, the United States implemented a colonized school system mandating Native children, as young as 3 years old to 16 years old, attend boarding schools. In 1819, the U.S. federal government began funding religious organizations to run these schools. They operated for almost 200 years.

The Interfaith Network for Indigenous Communities, a growing interfaith coalition of religious leaders who wish to deeply listen to Indigenous Communities in the Northwest, invites you to attend a free Zoom webinar presentation on the impacts of Indian Boarding Schools on Friday Oct 11, 12:00 – 2:00 pm.

Attendees of the webinar will be hearing from:

• Jewell James, Lummi Nation, Master Carver, Activist, Elder and boarding school survivor
• Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip Tribes, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and Tulalip Tribal Council
• Edward Washines, Yakama Nation, WA State Truth & Reconciliation Advisory Committee (WA Attorney General’s Office)

Click here to register or scan the QR code in the graphic. Please share this opportunity with other interested individuals.

Bios of Speakers

Jewell Praying Wolf James:  Jewell is an enrolled member of Lummi Nation.  He is an internationally renowned carver with the House of Tears Carvers and has served in various leadership capacities in Lummi Nation including Tribal Council member, fisheries director, and Sovereignty and Treaty Protection Office.  Jewell has advocated for preserving forests, protecting sacred sites, restoring and preserving tribal treaty rights and sovereignty, advocating for salmon, the qwe ‘lhol mechen (Southern Resident Orcas), Sk’alich’elh-tenaut and much more.  He is one of the subjects of a documentary, “A Common Destiny: Walking in Both Worlds” that explores the Indigenous belief that humans and all other beings in the world share a common destiny with the Earth itself.  He has done extensive research into the Doctrine of Discovery and therefore, Indian law and history.  He is also a boarding school survivor and carries intimate knowledge of the intergenerational trauma of his own family and himself.  “A lot of trauma was forced into our communities and a lot of children were taken right from the arms of the crying mother; and those children never came home” (2022 Sierra Club interview with Mariska Kecskes).  Jewell brought his Red Road to DC Totem Pole to Chemawa Indian School to honor graves of children who died there.  He also carved two totem poles that were gifted to Chemawa.

Theresa Sheldon:  Theresa is a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes and an advocate for historical justice, civic engagement, upholding and strengthening tribal sovereignty and the trust responsibility, and protecting sacred places. Theresa began her tenure at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition as the Director of Policy & Advocacy in April 2022. Theresa has 16 years of experience in political advocacy, serving in numerous roles with the Democratic National Committee, EMILY’s List, and Tulalip Tribes, while also presiding as the Native American Director for the Biden-Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee. She served two terms as elected representative for the Tulalip Tribes as a Board Director and served seven years as a policy analyst for Tulalip Tribes. Theresa has been the Co-Chair for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote since 2008 and was a founding member and Co-Chairperson for Native Vote, WA. She currently serves as National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Co-Chair for the Safety & Justice Subcommittee and is on the Board of Directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy and as a Tribal Council member for the Tulalip Tribes.

Edward Washines:  Edward is an enrolled Member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation—member of the Wulx’wy’pum/Ka’milt’pa/ss’kin and Wenatcheepum Bands.  Edward, currently retired, is a respected Elder and has served 42 years with the Yakama Nation, including 10 years as a member of the Yakama Tribal Council, of which four were as Executive Secretary. He was a professor of Native American Studies at Heritage University, Fall 2024. He also volunteered with the Yakama Nation Tribal School Athletic Program.  He is a graduate of Riverside Indian School, Anadarko, Oklahoma, Class of 1973, and holds a BA and M.Ed from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma.  He is a member of Heritage University Board of Trustees; Fred Hutch Cancer Center Tribal Advisory; CIRCLES Alliance University of Idaho Tribal Advisory Indigenous S.T.E.M. Curriculum Development; Chairperson Boys & Girls Club of the Yakama Nation. Washington State Attorney General Truth and Reconciliation Boarding School Tribal Advisory Committee.