From Apology to Action: Fighting for Justice for Native Boarding School Survivors
Fighting for Justice for Native Boarding School Survivors

In a significant gesture, President Biden recently issued a formal apology on behalf of the United States, recognizing the historic and ongoing pain inflicted on Native American communities. As a Native American and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I know this apology represents more than just words. It’s a call to action—a reminder of our responsibility to pursue justice for generations of Native peoples who have endured neglect, discrimination, and systemic abuse at the hands of federal policies. For Singleton Schreiber’s Tribal Litigation team, led by myself, the fight for justice for Native communities isn’t just professional; it’s profoundly personal.

Seeking Justice for Boarding School Survivors

The abuse and forced assimilation of Native children in government-sanctioned boarding schools remains one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history. The scars of those experiences run deep, and the trauma has rippled through generations, affecting families and communities long after the boarding schools closed their doors. At Singleton Schreiber, our Tribal Litigation team has taken on the challenging work of fighting for survivors of this harrowing legacy.

For too long, Native children were torn from their families and placed in these schools, where they were stripped of their languages, traditions, and identities. Many suffered unimaginable physical and emotional abuse in the name of “assimilation.” Our commitment is to give survivors a voice and secure justice for the atrocities they endured. This isn’t just litigation—it’s an acknowledgment of their pain, a step toward healing, and a powerful statement that such abuses will not go unchallenged.

Standing Firm for Justice, Healing, and Honor

What makes Singleton Schreiber’s Tribal Litigation practice unique is not just our legal experience but our genuine connection to the Native experience. I am not just an advocate—I am a part of the community I represent. I share the heritage, history, and struggles of those who come to us for justice. When Native clients come to us, they can trust that they’re working with a team that truly understands their journey and is committed to fighting alongside them.

As the national conversation on Native rights gains traction, we at Singleton Schreiber remain unwavering in our mission: to hold accountable the systems that have harmed Native communities, to empower survivors, and to provide hope for a future where justice and respect for Native peoples prevail. For all who have suffered and continue to endure, we stand with you in the fight for justice, healing, and restoration.

  • Robert Saunooke
    Senior Counsel

    Robert Saunooke is a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and has been practicing law for over 30 years. Over his career, Robert’s practice has focused on representing Native American tribes, their members and ...

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