OUR SPIRITS DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH: Indian Boarding Schools Headlines throughout Canada this June, covered briefly in newspapers in the US, carried the formal apology to Native Canadians for forcing approximately 150,000 native children into government-financed schools. These schools operated from the 1920’s until the 1970’s. The goal was to “kill the Indian, save the man.” Students were aggressively indoctrinated into white culture – forbidden to speak their language, traditional clothing removed, hair cut. Students were taught basic domestic and industrial trades, relegating them to a servant class along with the Blacks who were originally taught along-side them in the US. They were taken from their families and thus had no influence of a loving family structure. Many students suffered physical and sexual abuse, and even death. The results have been linked to the alcoholism, suicide and family violence widespread in native communities. Additionally, the schools in the US, though mandated by the government were given into the hands of religious organizations to run – a clear violation of the separation of church and state according to the Constitution and a further attempt to destroy these people through the eradication of their religious practices. Our Spirits Don’t Speak English is a heartbreaking documentary by Rich Heape Films that all should view for enlightenment on these sad facts. “Told from the Native American perspective, this documentary uncovers the dark history of the US Government policy and will give a voice to the countless Indian children forced through the system.”   Earlier this year the government of Australia apologized to its aboriginal people for forced assimilation. The US has been considered a super-power and leader around the world. Where is its leadership in this area? This nation was built upon the genocide of its indigenous people. Reparations must be made for the serious karmic debt owed to these beautiful people!