Native Abuse

The sexual abuse of Native children by Catholic priests, brothers, and nuns is a crucial part of the sexual abuse crisis in the United States and every other country where the Catholic church and settler colonialism were intimately linked. This anthology of articles about clergy abuse in Native communities is our first small step in understanding this story. We will gather more articles, documents, and photographs, and work to collate the complex geography and history of the 579 officially recognized Native tribes with the structures of the dioceses and religious orders. We will also catalogue the priests, brothers, and religious sisters who are accused of sexually abusing Native children. We hope our efforts to gather sources and resources can help in a small way to overcome the neglect.

After going public with her story of abuse, Elsie Boudreau (center) became an advocate for other survivors in Alaska Native communities through her nonprofit Arctic Winds Healing Winds. (Credit: Emily Schwing / Reveal via AP.)
After going public with her story of abuse, Elsie Boudreau (center) became an advocate for other survivors in Alaska Native communities through her nonprofit Arctic Winds Healing Winds. (Credit: Emily Schwing / Reveal via AP.)

Special thanks to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and Denise Lajimodiere, Anishinaabe artist and historian, whose Stringing Rosaries: The History, the Unforgivable, and the Healing of North American Indian Boarding School Survivors is essential reading. See also her List of American Indian Boarding Schools by State, as supplemented by NABS.

We will be adding to this page frequently – both general sources and specific information about clergy abuse. We would be grateful for any suggestions, advice, or corrections you wish to share. As with all our work, our goal is not to advance a particular point of view, but advance transparency by gathering diverse resources. Please email us at staff@bishop-accountability.org. This page was last modified on June 12, 2021.

  • Alaska Priest, by Damon Winter, Los Angeles Times (November 19, 2005)
  • Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, by Canada, Plaintiffs, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Representatives, Anglican Church, Presbyterian Church, United Church of Canada, and Roman Catholic Entities (May 8, 2006) with Schedule N mandating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Leland Hewankorn, Francis Burke and Garry Salois stand outside St Ignatius Mission. They’re among some 500 people who recently reached a settlement with the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus for reported abuse, but they say what they really want is an apology. Photo by Tom Bauer / Missoulian
Leland Hewankorn, Francis Burke and Garry Salois stand outside St Ignatius Mission. They’re among some 500 people who recently reached a settlement with the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus for reported abuse, but they say what they really want is an apology. Photo by Tom Bauer / Missoulian
  • Sins of the fathers, by Emily Schwing with Michael Corey and Katharine Mieszkowski, Reveal (December 14, 2018)
  • Unrepentant: Despite revelations of clergy sex abuse and promises of transparency, a prominent Jesuit university does little to punish priests who cross the line, by Emily Schwing, Reveal (.June 20, 2020)