📣 Press release: After Governor Jay Inslee’s statements and President Biden’s formal apology for the Federal Indian boarding school program—described by the President as “places of trauma and terror for more than 100 years”—the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) recognized the important restorative work done by Washington’s Tribes. This work is now supported by ArtsWA’s Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) program.

“We understand that Tribes never stopped honoring and teaching their culture, even in the face of harsh policies instituted by the Federal and State governments,” said TCA Program Manager Cheryl Wilcox. “We offer our thanks and respect for their bravery and vision.”