The Apology Movement Launched to Achieve Long-Awaited Healing Between U.S. and Native Americans Past, Present and Future
WASHINGTON D.C., July 20, 2021 – The Apology, a movement led by Dr. Negiel Bigpond and Amb. Sam Brownback, is bringing attention to a law that was initially signed into action by President Barack Obama in December of 2009 to acknowledge the damages, wrongs and broken covenants by the United States inflicted upon the Native American people. Because this legislation was never publicly recognized, movement organizers are calling Americans to join them in urging President Joe Biden to issue a formal apology to Native Americans of the past, present and future during a special White House Rose Garden Ceremony.
“This apology to the Native American people sits in the U.S. archives and is unknown to the American public as well as many lawmakers,” said Brownback, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Kansas governor. “The Apology is designed to educate individuals about this unacknowledged law and call the White House to action. In order for our nation to fully heal, the President has to make a public apology that will fulfill an apology that’s long overdue. It’s the law of the land, and nobody knows about it.”
In 2009, an “Apology to the Native Peoples of the United States” was added as an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R. 3326). This portion of the appropriations bill ultimately served as an official apology to all Native people for the mistreatment they received from the United States throughout history. Although the bill was signed by President Obama, the formal apology was never issued toward Native Peoples nor presented to tribal leaders in the form of a public ceremony.
“To many Native people, an apology not expressed is worse than no apology at all, just another set of meaningless words buried in official treaties and broken promises,” Bigpond said.
As part of a public awareness campaign, The Apology will release a multiple-part film series that takes a deeper dive into the history of the injustices committed against the Native American people and the apology that was written but has yet to be publicly spoken. The first episode, which features Bigpond and Brownback, releases Aug. 15 on TheApologyNow.com.
Bigpond, a full-blooded member of the Yuchi Indian Tribe whose family was subjected to the Trail of Tears, has worked hand-in-hand with Brownback, who was a senator when the bill passed in 2009, to ultimately bring this situation to light.
“It is crucial to realize that we are not asking for a new law to be written but rather for recognition of a formal apology that already exists,” Bigpond said. “It’s time to gather the good hearts, honor the first people of this land and acknowledge their history.”
The launch of The Apology comes as news regarding graves found at Native American Boarding Schools in Canada has sparked violence and controversy across North America.
“We need healing now more than ever,” Bigpond said. “I think it’s time for the United States of America to ask for forgiveness from our people. Healing can happen but not if we continue to ignore it.”
To learn more about The Apology and the film series visit TheApologyNow.com.
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