In March, President Donald Trump announced several budget cuts via executive orders that targeted funding for programs incorrectly labeled as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Stating these changes are “objective facts” that casts the United States “in a negative light,” Trump slashed at least $1.6 million dollars in federal funds away from the 10 Indigenous-centered organizations, including the Native American Boarding Schools (NABS) Healing Coalition. 

According to their 2024 annual report, NABS received 57% of their operating budget from government funding. Donations from families, non-profits and other philanthropic individuals were responsible for the remaining income for the year. 

Following the announcement from the federal government that the monies have been cut, Deborah Parker (Tulalip Tribes), chief executive officer and other officials from NABS have vowed to continue the work of archiving and digitizing boarding school records in addition to hosting healing circles for relatives throughout Indian Country. 

Their online digital map of boarding schools in the United States continues to be updated and an ongoing project. 

Providing action to their words, NABS hosted an online healing gathering webinar on June 7 to help unite Indian Country as one and answer any questions regarding the recent budget cuts. The 90-minute webinar helped connect relatives with continued healing resources as well as helping connect NABS officials with donors willing to support the non-profit during these tumultuous times.

Additionally, NABS will continue to visit Indian Country as part of their “Oral History Project,” series with their next stop in St. Paul, Minnesota, in mid-June with boarding school survivor Nelda Goodman (Menominee/Potawatomi Tribe of Wisconsin) facilitating the gathering.

“This loss not only hinders education, but also deepens the gap in our national understanding, allowing cycles of erasure, misunderstanding and invisibility to persist,” Parker said in a statement?. 

She continued, “Finding and preserving government and church records pertaining to what happened to Native American children in federal Indian boarding schools is not just an act of remembrance—it’s a commitment to future generations, and a necessary step toward truth and healing in this country.”

Interested individuals can visit www.boardingschoolhealing.org/donate to view the many different ways supporters can connect with NABS.