Project Return: Pilot Phase
In 2026, the University of Iowa Native Policy Lab is conducting a pilot phase of Project Return at the Fort Worth National Archives. Project Return is an archival research initiative to return copies of Indian Boarding School records to living survivors, free of charge. Later this year, Project Return will launch nationally to accept record requests from any living survivor of Indian Boarding Schools. Currently, the NPL is not accepting any requests for records from descendants of survivors of boarding schools.
Please read the following sections of this page to learn how to request copies of your records.
Indian Boarding School Records Return Process
Step 1: Complete the Indian Boarding School Records Request form
*During the pilot phase of Project Return, the Native Policy Lab is prioritizing records held at the Fort Worth National Archives.
Step 2: The Native Policy Lab will attempt to locate your records
In some cases, if individual student files do not exist or cannot be located, the Native Policy Lab may be able to provide a package of alternative materials from the school(s) that you attended, such as copies of yearbooks, newsletters, photos, or other school ephemera.
Step 3: You will be contacted with the results of the search for your records
If the Native Policy Lab locates your records or alternative items from the school(s) you attended, you will receive copies of those items according to your return preference selected in the Indian Boarding School Records Request form.
Additional Information:
Indian Boarding Schools Without Archived Student Files
Based on Native Policy Lab findings, individual student files may not be preserved in existing archives for all Indian Boarding Schools. Although individual student files may not have been maintained for every school, some archives do contain files such as yearbooks, student newspapers, class photos, music programs, and other similar materials. For schools without existing individual student files, the Native Policy Lab is working on assembling packages of the remaining archival materials to share with survivors.
Limited Internet or Computer Access
If you have limited access to the internet or a computer, please contact the Native Policy Lab for assistance with requesting your records. Use the Contact Us form on this website or send us an email at native-policy-lab@uiowa.edu.
Privacy of Records
The Native Policy Lab strictly complies with all security protocols and maintains the privacy of records through the record return process. All returned records are confidential: they will not be shared and will not be used for research purposes.
Resources
Engaging with boarding school history may be a triggering experience. If you need immediate assistance, please call one of the help lines below.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call or text 844-762-8483
- 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering support and advocacy at no cost.
- 988 Suicide & Crises Lifeline: Call or text 988
- 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress
For additional support, please view this collection of healing-informed resources created by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request the return of Indian Boarding School records?
The Native Policy Lab is only accepting records requests from living survivors at this time. Additionally, while Project Return is in its pilot phase, the NPL will be prioritizing records held at the Fort Worth National Archives until the project launches nationally later this year.
Will my original physical records be returned to me?
At this time, the Native Policy Lab can only return copies of records to survivors as electronic PDF files, printed copies, or both.
Is it free to request copies of my records?
Yes. Through Project Return, the Native Policy Lab is returning copies of Indian Boarding School records to survivors free of charge.
What is the DOJ-361 form?
Form DOJ-361 is a Department of Justice form that certifies identity and allows for Native Policy Lab researchers to access your records in the National Archives. Some survivors requesting copies of their records may be asked to complete this form if their records are believed to be in the National Archives.
How do I submit the DOJ-361 form to the Native Policy Lab?
If you have been instructed to complete form DOJ-361, you will submit your completed form to the Native Policy Lab. The Native Policy Lab will submit your DOJ-361 form to the National Archives on your behalf to retrieve your records.
You can submit your DOJ-361 form to the Native Policy Lab by email at native-policy-lab@uiowa.edu or by mail to the Native Policy Lab at 112 N Capitol St, GILH Room #205, Iowa City, IA 52242.
Only complete and submit the DOJ-361 form if you received direct instructions from the Native Policy Lab to do so.
*Under no circumstances should you include your social security number on the DOJ-361 form that you submit to the Native Policy Lab. Leave the section on the form blank.
How do I submit a request for my Indian Boarding School records from the Native Policy Lab?
Please note that the Native Policy Lab is only accepting records requests from living survivors at this time.
You can submit your request for copies of your records using the Native Policy Lab Indian Boarding School Records Request Form found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ProjectReturnRecordRequests
How will copies of Indian Boarding School records be returned?
When a person submits a request for their records, the Native Policy Lab will attempt to locate the files from the available archives of school records. If the requested records are located, the Native Policy Lab will scan the records and return the scans as PDF files to the requester via email, the US Postal Service, or international mail, free of charge.
How can I find my family member’s boarding school records?
The Native Policy Lab is not accepting any requests for records from descendants of survivors of boarding schools at this time. If you would like to locate boarding school records for a family member, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition offers a helpful research pathfinder linked here.
You can view the list of schools for which the National Archives maintains student records for by clicking here.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Indian Boarding School records return process, please contact us.