New York Governor Issues Formal Apology for Thomas Indian School Atrocities

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a formal apology on behalf of the state for the atrocities committed at the Thomas Indian School, a boarding school that operated from 1875 to 1957 on Seneca Nation land. The school forcibly separated Native American children from their families, subjected them to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and aimed to erase their culture and language, reflecting a dark chapter of forced assimilation policies in the U.S. Hochul's visit marked the first official by a sitting New York governor to Seneca land, where she met survivors and their families and acknowledged the intergenerational trauma caused by the school's harsh environment. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca, whose father attended the school, called the apology a vital step toward healing and accountability for the enduring pain experienced by the tribe. The governor pledged to support reconciliation efforts and committed to truth, justice, and healing to move forward. This apology builds on New York's broader efforts to strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples and address historical injustices, including land returns and the creation of leadership roles focused on Indigenous nations.