House Honors Boarding School Survivors; FEMA, FCC Set Nationwide EAS Test for Nov. 17

WASHINGTON — A pair of Washington announcements this week — one congressional and one federal emergency-preparedness item — have important implications for Indian Country.

Congressional Recognition And Push For Truth, Justice And Healing

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D‑N.M.) used remarks on the House floor to honor Native children, survivors of the federal Indian boarding school system, their families and descendants ahead of the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors on Sept. 30.

Leger Fernández urged colleagues to continue pursuing truth, justice and healing and to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, legislation that would establish an independent commission to investigate, document and report on federal boarding school policies and their multigenerational impacts on Native peoples.

“Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native children were forced to relinquish their own Indigenous heritage and language,” Leger Fernández said. “Many of the children never returned home to their families or their communities. May they never be forgotten.”

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) welcomed the congresswoman’s recognition while stressing that remembrance must be paired with concrete action. NABS Chief Executive Officer Nikki Santos (Coeur d'Alene Tribe) said the Sept. 30 observance is an opportunity to honor relatives, listen to survivors’ stories and recommit to truth and healing.

NABS is urging Congress to back H.R. 7325 and is calling on Tribal communities, organizations, educators and allies to take part in local and national activities that honor boarding school survivors and their families.

FEMA And FCC Announce Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026. The test is expected to begin at about 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time and conclude by approximately 2:50 p.m. ET.

The test will momentarily interrupt regular programming on radio and television stations, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers nationwide. The test message will state that it is a nationwide test covering the United States and that “No action is required by the public.” Normal programming should resume after the test concludes.

FEMA and the FCC stressed that the EAS is a national public warning system designed to allow the president to address the nation during a national emergency and to distribute life‑saving information. Both agencies said they are coordinating the exercise with communications providers and with federal, state, tribal and territorial partners to ensure broad participation and technical readiness.

What This Means For Indian Country

The congressional recognition and the call for H.R. 7325 reinforce a growing national effort to document harms from Indian boarding schools and support survivors, families and communities. The EAS test is a routine preparedness exercise, but Tribal nations and organizations should note the scheduled interruption of broadcast and streaming content and confirm their local alerting partners have the information they need.

If you or your community are planning events for the National Day of Remembrance, consider sharing survivor stories responsibly, supporting local healing initiatives and contacting your representatives to express support for the Truth and Healing Commission legislation.