WA Indian boarding schools committee seeks public’s help with effort

YAKIMA — A state committee focused on the history and impacts of Native boarding schools in Washington seeks public participation in three subcommittees.

Washington was home to at least 17 federal government-operated or government-supported boarding schools for Native children. Two were in Yakima County — the boarding school at Fort Simcoe, which operated from the fall of 1859 to early 1920; and the Sisters of Providence boarding school for Native children at St. Joseph Academy from 1889-96 in what is now downtown Yakima.

The state Attorney General’s Office administers and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee, which was announced last October. The five committee members from federally recognized tribes, including the Yakama Nation, have had several meetings and want to expand their work by adding three subcommittees.

The committee is seeking people to serve on an elders, survivors and descendants subcommittee; a legal subcommittee; and a cultural and resource protection subcommittee. Those interested in serving on a subcommittee should attend one of their meetings via Zoom link. For more information, visit the committee webpage on the attorney general’s website.

The committee is also seeking artists to create graphics to be used on various public reports, advertisements and other media, according to the committee. The due date for submissions is April 26.

Artists should submit a letter of intent, sample artwork from their existing portfolio, and artist statement about the proposed design to Sonja McGraw at sonja.mcgraw@atg.wa.gov. A commission will be provided to the artist or artists selected.

Members of the state’s Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee will have public listening sessions across the state as part of their work to reveal the full history of Indian boarding schools in Washington. They are still working to schedule those sessions. Check the committee webpage for updates.