11/14/2025
November marks . Members of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's newly established Indigenous Health Unit (IHU) visited the historic site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, in late October. Dr. Lou Bell, Professor of Pediatrics and The Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Medicine at CHOP, joined the group and shared these words about the outing and its importance for :
“Founded in 1879, Carlisle was the first federal off-reservation boarding school for Native American children. Its stated purpose was to “assimilate” Indigenous youth, through the erasure of their language, culture, and identity. A total of 7,800 students attended the school from 1879 to 1918. Although the school closed over 100 years ago, the impact on the Native peoples’ descendants reverberates strongly today. Our group felt the impact while reading and listening to the stories of the Peoples during our tour.
For CHOP’s IHU, the visit was more than a reflection on history — it was a commitment to doing better in the present. Standing on those grounds reminded our team that true health equity must include respect for history, culture, and self-determination. The IHU’s mission is to advance research and care that includes, supports, and empowers American Indian and Alaska Native communities, not by studying them as subjects, but by partnering with them as equal leaders and knowledge holders.
The visit to Carlisle reaffirmed CHOP’s dedication to building relationships rooted in trust and reciprocity. As we move forward, the IHU will continue to collaborate with tribal nations, Native scholars, and community organizations to ensure that our research, education, and clinical programs honor Indigenous voices and strengthen community wellness.
Our time at Carlisle was a powerful reminder: Healing begins with truth, and progress grows from partnership."
Learn more about the IHU at CHOP: http://ms.spr.ly/6189tOFH9
