Road to Healing

Overview:

The Department of Interior (DOI) launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative to bring awareness to the trauma that Indigenous people endure as a direct result of boarding schools. The Road to Healing Tour, a series of listening sessions within Indian Country, is an integral step in the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative to hear from survivors and their descendants about their experiences and to influence subsequent work of the Initiative. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians have been asked to host the Michigan-based segment of the Road to Healing Tour to bring awareness and healing to local Indigenous communities impacted by boarding school experiences. The 35 Tribal Nations from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa have been invited to participate in the listening session. The event is open to the public but the ability to provide testimony is restricted to boarding school survivors and their descendants.

 

Location:

The event is scheduled for 10 AM on Saturday, August 13th at Pellston Public Schools (172 Park St, Pellston, MI, 49769) and is anticipated to last 6-7 hours in length. Department of Interior staff will be on site until all testimony is received so the actual length of the event is dependent on the number of individuals speaking.

 

Event Format:

Guests will receive an agenda and information regarding additional trauma-support resources upon entry into the event.

 

Food:

Light refreshments will be provided throughout the event. A courtesy boxed lunch will be available at the meal break.

 

Transportation:

LTBB is offering a shuttle from the LTBB Government Complex to the school’s main office at the top of each hour until the event ends. The first shuttle ride will depart from the main entrance of the LTBB Government Center at 9:00 AM and the departure time of the last ride from Pellston Schools will be based on when the event officially ends. A bus schedule will be provided. Additional transportation options may be available and shared once confirmed.

 

This event is solely focused on boarding school survivors and their families. The session is not a platform for debate or discussion on any other matters. 

 

*Please note this event is still in the planning stages and information will be updated frequently. Please check back for more updates as they become available.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Road to Healing On-site Parking Map – Download PDF Here