Native Boarding Schools – Learning from History to Promote Healing

In this presentation, Father Michael Carson will explore the history of the last 200 years—tracing where the concept of Native boarding schools originated, and how these institutions were rooted in the sin of racism and have left a path of destruction through Native culture and peoples.

In the second part of the presentation, Father Carson will take what we have learned from St. George Residential School, Tacoma history and develop some working ideas to promote healing and counter the historic trauma of boarding schools. The presentation will focus on the areas that the USCCB is coordinating with the bishops at this time: the work to move beyond apologies to concrete areas of restoration and reconciliation.

FATHER MICHAEL CARSON is a priest of the Diocese of San Jose, California. He currently serves as Assistant Director for Native American Affairs with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has extensive experience with Native American culture, social justice and education. Father Carson’s interest in Native American beliefs, values and culture comes from his grandfather. From his earliest days he received his spiritual and cultural grounding from his grandfather who was a full blooded member of the Louisiana Choctaw tribe. In Father Carson’s
current work with the USCCB, he coordinates ministry among the Native Americans throughout the country and serves as a liaison with the Bishop’s Subcommittee on Native American Affairs, part of the USCCB Secretariat for Cultural Diversity.
Sponsored by the Native American Advisory Circle and Multicultural Ministries of the Archdiocese of Seattle

Location: Isaac Orr Room, 910 Marion Street
Date: Oct 23rd 2022
Virtual Location: Joining via Zoom? Link: https://seattlearch-org.zoom.us/j/87613828120 Meeting ID: 876 1382 8120
Event Flyer/PDF: Oct 23 Native Boarding Schools