URGENT UPDATE: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has just launched a significant criminal investigation into historical abuses at Indigenous boarding schools that operated across the state from 1823 to 1983. This announcement was made on December 19, 2023, highlighting the state’s commitment to uncovering the truth and delivering justice to survivors.
The investigation aims to “identify, document, investigate, and prosecute” potential criminal acts linked to these now-closed institutions. Nessel is actively seeking input from survivors, witnesses, and anyone with firsthand knowledge of these abuses. “This investigation seeks to bring truth and accountability to a painful chapter in our state’s history,” Nessel stated in a press release.
Authorities have identified a total of eight Indigenous boarding schools in Michigan, with the last one shutting its doors in 1983. Survivors and community members are encouraged to share vital information that may aid the investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously via email or by calling 517-897-7391.
The Attorney General’s office confirms that findings from this investigation will be compiled into a public report, ensuring that the cultural and personal privacy of those involved is respected. This initiative follows a broader federal inquiry that has unveiled the troubling truths about the treatment of Native American children in these institutions.
As the investigation unfolds, it promises to shed light on the critical issues surrounding Indigenous rights and historical injustices. The urgency of this matter resonates deeply within Michigan’s Native communities, where the impact of these boarding schools still lingers.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As more details emerge, the Attorney General’s office will provide updates on the investigation’s progress and any significant findings. Survivors and advocates are hopeful that this effort will bring long-overdue accountability and recognition of the suffering endured by generations of Indigenous peoples.
Stay tuned for more developments in this urgent investigation as Michigan seeks to confront and address its painful history.
