Patrick Matt Jr., a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and son of boarding school survivors, bows his head as he opens a healing circle with a prayer in both his native Pend d’Oreille dialect of Salish and English at The Spirit of Truth Church in Pablo, Montana on Sept. 29, 2021. Matt Jr. is the son of boarding school survivors. Both his father and mother were sent to the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls at a young age. He recalls his dad telling him stories about the abuses and harsh treatments he and other children received at these schools. Matt Jr. is the director of their Families First Program, which has been running for six years. As director, he is spearheading healing efforts from intergenerational trauma brought upon by boarding schools in his community.