At our annual meetings in 2021 and 2022, IMYM approved minutes that state:
“IMYM urges individual Friends and monthly meetings to watch for this bill (Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act,S. 1723) and to urge their congressional representatives to support it. IMYM further urges Friends to learn the history of the Quaker Indian schools and consider ways to support Native-managed healing processes, including programs to teach Native languages and prevent youth suicide.”
To implement the first point: Senator Elizabeth Warren has reintroduced this bill, and Friends can speedily contact their Senators and Representatives at https://fcnl.quorum.us/campaign/44488/?utm_source=fcnlweb
To implement the second point: IMYM’s 2022 Keynote Speaker, Ernest House, Jr., of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, told us about a new charter school on his reservation in Towaoc, Colorado. The Kwiyagat Community Academy “envisions a future where the graduates of the school will have a strong grounding in Nuchiu (Ute) culture and language while incorporating modern perspectives as contributing members of the Ute Mountain Ute community.” Learn more on their website: https://utekca.org
This school is much in need of financial support. We can implement the IMYM minutes by sending donations to: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (please be sure to write “For the Kwiyagat Community Academy’ on the memo line). Mail to:
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Kwiyagat Community Academy
P O Box 189
Towaoc, CO 81334
Thank you, Friends. Indigenous Peoples Concerns Committee, Boulder Meeting