“Every Child Matters” and Grassroots Memorials in the United States

In the United States, the legacy of government-run boarding schools for Indigenous children echoes the tragic history of Canadian Residential Schools. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s 2022 investigation into the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative revealed widespread abuse, neglect, and the forced assimilation of Indigenous children. Many boarding schools in the United States operated for decades, separating Indigenous children from their families and cultures, with numerous reports of physical and sexual abuse and unmarked graves on school grounds (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2022).

Similar to Canada’s “Every Child Matters” movement, Indigenous communities in the United States have created grassroots memorials to honor the children who died at these boarding schools, as well as the survivors and their families. For example, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) organizes commemorative events on National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, observed annually on September 30th. The wearing of orange shirts has become a shared symbol across North America to raise awareness of the intergenerational trauma caused by these institutions and to honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples (NABS, 2021).

One powerful example of a living memorial in the U.S. is the “Remembering the Children” Memorial, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the first government-run boarding school operated. The site, which includes a cemetery for children who died at the school, serves as a place of healing and remembrance. It underscores the ongoing need for accountability and justice, including the repatriation of remains to their tribal communities (NABS, 2021; U.S. Department of the Interior, 2022).

These grassroots efforts aim to provide a counter-narrative to federal policies that perpetuated cultural genocide and systemic neglect of Indigenous peoples. They also highlight the continued need for transparency and reparations, including the release of government records and the acknowledgment of historical wrongs.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

In the United States, Indigenous women and girls experience violence, abductions, and murder at rates far higher than any other demographic. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is deeply rooted in the legacy of colonization, systemic racism, and gendered violence. Despite decades of advocacy from Native communities, the issue has been largely overlooked by government agencies and law enforcement (Urban Indian Health Institute, 2018).

The video below discusses this in more detail:

Grassroots memorials have played a vital role in raising awareness of MMIWG and providing spaces for mourning and solidarity. One of the most recognized initiatives is the Red Dress Project, created by Métis artist Jaime Black, which uses empty red dresses to symbolize the lives of Indigenous women and girls who have been lost to violence. These striking visual installations have appeared across the United States, from art galleries to public spaces, amplifying the voices of families and communities affected by the crisis.

Another significant living memorial is the MMIWG Quilt Project, a collaborative effort by families and advocates to honor those who have been lost. Each quilt square is created by family members to commemorate a loved one, forming a collective tapestry of grief, resilience, and remembrance. These quilts are displayed at events such as marches and vigils, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the systemic failures that perpetuate violence against Indigenous women (National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center).

These memorials serve not only to honor victims but also to demand systemic change. The grassroots movements surrounding MMIWG call for greater accountability from law enforcement, the federal government, and society as a whole. They highlight the critical need for better data collection, increased funding for victim services, and the elevation of Indigenous voices in policy-making processes.