President Joe Biden issued a formal apology on Friday for the country's past policy of forcibly removing Native American children from their families and sending them to boarding schools.

This historical reckoning took place at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, where Biden's speech was marked by interruptions and embarrassing verbal stumbles, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The federal policy, initiated in 1819, endured for over 150 years, up until the 1970s. During this period, it affected over 18,000 children from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.

Biden, addressing a gathering at the Gila River Indian Community, acknowledged these historical atrocities while formally issuing an apology.

In his speech, Biden mistakenly mispronounced the name of the community, which led to an unscripted moment where he reassured the audience, saying, "There’s nothing wrong with me." This event served to encapsulate the broader aim of acknowledging past wrongs and setting a new course for the future of Native American relations.

Biden's Acknowledgment of Historical Injustices

The event was a combination of solemn reflection and forward-looking commitment. Biden emphasized that the federal government's formal apology was overdue and noted that "the federal government has never, never formally apologized for what happened -- until today." He reiterated that this moment was pivotal in acknowledging a shameful chapter of American history.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to head the department, has been at the forefront of this initiative.

Following her confirmation by the Senate, she spearheaded an investigation into the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. The inquiry revealed that many of those children suffered physical and emotional abuses, and nearly 1,000 did not survive.

Biden expressed that the decade-long absence of a sitting president's visit to Indian Country was unacceptable, stating, "That's simply far too long." The apology, he remarked, was essential to "chart a new path towards a better future for us all."

Protestors and Emotional Responses During the Event

The president's speech was briefly interrupted by a pro-Palestinian, pro-Gaza protester. Displaying a willingness to engage, Biden allowed the individual to express their views before continuing with the event's agenda.

Biden further delved into the significance of the apology as a step towards healing and understanding.

In addition to offering apologies, the President stressed that recognizing these dark chapters is critical because many Americans remain unaware of this aspect of history.

He stated, "It should be a shame, a chapter that most Americans don’t know about, the vast majority don’t even know about."

Secretary Haaland appeared visibly touched as she discussed the ongoing impact of these boarding schools on Indigenous communities. Her emotional speech highlighted her "Road to Healing" program and the resilience of her predecessors.

Reflecting on Tragic Experiences

Biden's remarks underscored the long-lived consequences of these policies, with generations of Native children being taken from their homes. He shared the devastating effects these separations had on Native families and communities.

The president further emphasized the importance of not erasing history but learning from it: "We’re a great nation. We’re the greatest of nations. We do not erase history. We make history." This apology was a symbolic yet essential step in recognizing national responsibility and offering a form of redress.

Haaland's heartfelt address included sentiments of persistence and tenacity, noting the enduring presence and spirit of Native communities: "Despite everything that has happened, we are still here. We are here, healing our souls and carrying the strength of those who came before us."

In sum, the event served not only as an apology but also as an expression of commitment to future relations between the federal government and Indigenous peoples. It was a poignant reminder of the work that remains to be done in reconciling with the past.