Sauder Schelkopf is investigating litigation on behalf of individuals whose loved ones were buried at Indian Boarding Schools. We are currently litigating cases against cemeteries in New Jersey and Michigan.

List of Federal Indian Boarding Schools

Map of the Schools by State

On May 11, 2022, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in part:

About 180 children are buried at Carlisle alone, and a smaller but unknown number of students are interred in communities across central and eastern Pennsylvania. They were buried where they died, after Carlisle leaders placed them into domestic and farm service for white families under the school’s “outing” program.

The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report states in part:

Based on the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative investigation’s initial analysis, approximately 19 Federal Indian boarding schools accounted for over 500 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian child deaths. As the investigation continues, the Department expects the number of recorded deaths to increase.

Related News

‘Heartbreaking and undeniable’: Former Phoenix school part of Indian boarding schools investigation

Report: At least 500 children died in federal Indian boarding schools

Department of the Interior Releases Investigative Report, Outlines Next Steps in Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative

For the family of a Native American child lost at the Carlisle School, a new study offers hope of accountability

The Remains of 10 Children at the Carlisle Indian Boarding School Are Returning Home

Experience Matters

Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country.  The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $500 million on behalf of their clients and class members. Our attorneys have been recognized by LawDragon in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022.  This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted Mr. Sauder’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by our peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania.  Our attorneys have also been  selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.

We Want to Hear from You

If your loved one was buried at an Indian Boarding School, contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page or calling 888.711.9975