Let The Healing Begin.(Office of Indian Affairs)

From the very beginning, the Office of Indian Affairs was an instrument by which the US enforced its ambition against the Indian nations and Indian people who stood in its path. And so, the first mission of this institution was to execute the removal of the southeastern tribal nations. By threat, deceit, and force, these great tribal nations were made to march 1,000 miles to the west, leaving thousands of their old, their young and their infirm in hasty graves along the Trail of Tears. While the BIA employees of today did not commit these wrongs, they acknowledge that the institution they serve did. They therefore begin this important work anew, and make a new commitment to the people and communities that they serve, a commitment born of the dedication that they share with Indian people to the cause of renewed hope and prosperity for Indian country.