For over a century, Native children were taken from their families under the promise of education and returned changed—or never returned at all. Hair was cut, languages silenced, and identities stripped away in the name of forced assimilation. 🕯️💔 Boarding schools were not just institutions; they were tools designed to break cultural continuity. The phrase “Kill the Indian, save the man” represents a mindset that caused lasting trauma still felt today. Survival itself became an act of resistance. Remembering this history is not about reopening wounds—it is about acknowledging truth. Healing begins with honesty, accountability, and honoring the children who deserved safety, love, and belonging. 🪶🖤