Standing on the grounds of a Native elementary school in Arizona, Biden’s act of contrition resonated deeply with Native leaders, residential school survivors and advocates. His words acknowledged a shameful history that has scarred a large number of indigenous communities. However, it is essential to consider the timing and political context chosen to do this.
Biden’s apology, delivered just two weeks before the US presidential election, raises questions about the political calculations behind the move. Arizona, a key state in 2020, saw Native voters — Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and others — play a significant role in Biden’s victory. In 2024, Democrats and Kamala Harris likely face even greater challenges securing Arizona’s electoral votes, and this apology could be seen as a way to remind Native voters that their voices matter and their grievances are taken into consideration.
Biden has shown notable commitment to Indigenous issues. In appointing Deb Haaland, a native of Pueblo de Laguna, as the first indigenous Secretary of the Interior, he made a historic decision. Haaland’s role was essential in making this once-unthinkable apology possible. Historically, the position of Secretary of the Interior has often been held by people with little concern for Indigenous rights and sometimes even opposition to tribal sovereignty. Haaland created an unprecedented space for Indigenous voices within federal politics, marking a major turning point.
The outgoing president’s apology also aligns with the recommendations of the federal initiative on residential schools, launched by Deb Haaland in 2021 to confront the dark history of these establishments. Through this process, survivors and descendants shared their painful experiences, and the country was invited to recognize this traumatic legacy as part of its history.
Robert Falcon Ouellette is an anthropologist from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. He specializes in the areas of indigenous education, military ethics and political science. He holds a doctorate and two master’s degrees from Laval University. He also served in the Canadian Armed Forces and was the federal Liberal MP for Winnipeg Center from 2015 to 2019. He is now an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa.
Why now?
But why now? For Biden, who is no longer seeking a new presidential term, this moment is unique. Freed from the pressures of campaigning, he may feel less pressure to speak about difficult truths. In a country where nationalism is strong, challenging the land of the free narrative by admitting historical wrongs is not easy.
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) into residential schools encountered strong resistance from some groups refusing to accept this history. In Canada, Holocaust denial — led by figures like conservative commentator Tom Flanagan — has presented residential schools as beneficial, a position that not only denies Indigenous trauma but also perpetuates historical ignorance. Such perspectives are not unique to Canada; they also resonate in the United States, where acknowledging the wrongs of the federal government is often seen as unpatriotic.
<img alt="Indigenous people listen to President Joe Biden’s apology, October 25, 2024.” class=”sc-1tkrlyq-1 DUIWm transition-opacity ease-out” style=”opacity:1″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_700/v1/ici-info/16×9/joe-biden-excuses-pensionnats-autochtones-50029.jpg”/>
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The American government has never apologized until now, Joe Biden stressed.
Photo : AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS
Furthermore, this apology highlights the ongoing struggle of indigenous communities to preserve their language and culture, after decades of policies aimed at erasing them. Bed Haaland’s report outlines an ambitious 10-year plan for the preservation of indigenous languages, responding to a loss that is felt across generations. Language, for Indigenous people, is much more than words; it is a fundamental connection to culture, tradition and their worldview. In the United States, as in Canada, language revitalization is not just a cultural issue; it is vital for survival.
Despite the emotional resonance of Biden’s apology, the timing and intent behind it could complicate its legacy. For many Indigenous people, this is a long-awaited recognition, regardless of political motivations. However, the president’s visit to Arizona — a key state — suggests that the mea culpa could also be a strategic move to gain support from Native voters.
Within Indigenous communities, this apology can be seen as a significant step, a rare acknowledgment of their pain and resilience. However, the broader American public, divided along partisan lines, might see this as an attempt to capitalize on historical trauma for political purposes.
Go beyond words
Indigenous advocates, however, are calling for more than words. Many want the United States to follow Canada’s lead, where Indigenous-led healing programs, language revitalization and education reform have begun to address similar legacies.
As Biden’s presidency nears its end, one question remains: Will his apology inspire true reconciliation, or will it be passed off as just another fleeting campaign gesture? While Indigenous communities may appreciate this recognition, they will likely demand more than words. For them, the impact of this apology will be measured against the federal government’s commitment to restoring trust and supporting the cultural and linguistic resurgence of Indigenous people.
In Canada, we have seen how Holocaust denial and division can arise when national identity is called into question. For indigenous communities, this moment could go beyond political motivations and leave a lasting imprint. With this approach, Biden has strengthened his place in the indigenous memories of the United States. This is undoubtedly a first step, because the path to healing and reconciliation has only just begun.
Can we respect the enemy we have been fighting since Columbus?
In this country of freedomwhere history rumbles
From Indian Wars to Presidents Marching
Promises fade, but scars sparkle
