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Fort Lewis College removes Indian boarding school panels from iconic clock tower, to correct inaccurate depiction and promote healing

Hundreds gathered for a ceremony at the Fort Lewis College clocktower on Monday to celebrate the removal of Indian boarding school panels.
Dr. Ellen Paul, Chair and Professor of History at Fort Lewis College
Hundreds gathered for a ceremony at the Fort Lewis College clocktower on Monday to celebrate the removal of Indian boarding school panels.

Sweet grass and sage filled the air at the Fort Lewis College clock tower Monday, as hundreds of people gathered and the Skyhawk Nation Drum Group played.

It was part of a ceremony around the removal of three panels in the clock tower. They depicted an inaccurate representation of federal Indian boarding schools that are a part of the college's history.

The event featured a number of speakers and we were able to capture some of their thoughts. We hear from:

  • Dr. LeManual Bitsoi, Vice President of Diversity at Fort Lewis College
  • Ernest House Jr, FLC Board of Trustees and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Member
  • Xavior Pierre, Freshman Fort Lewis College
  • Linda Baker, Southern Ute Tribal Member
  • Melvin Baker, Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe
  • Tom Stritikus, President at Fort Lewis College
  • Music from the Skyhawk Nation Drum Group
Indian Boarding school panels were ceremoniously removed from the Fort Lewis clocktower.
Sarah Flower
Indian Boarding school panels were ceremoniously removed from the Fort Lewis clocktower.
A new plaque addresses the decision to remove the panels and intentions moving forward.
Dr. Ellen Paul, Chair and Professor of History at Fort Lewis College
A new plaque addresses the decision to remove the panels and intentions moving forward.

See more KSUT Local and Regional News.
See more Native and Indigenous News.

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Mark Duggan contributed online production of this story for KSUT.

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