The United States celebrates Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. In recent years, some cities have redesignated the holiday "Indigenous People's Day." These cities include: Albuquerque; Portland, Oregon; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Olympia, Washington.
This week, POPVOX highlights some bills introduced in Congress related to Native American health, education, language, and culture.
Bills are listed in order of number of co-sponsors. Click through to find out more and tell Congress what you think.
Native American Indian Education Act
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Tipton Cosponsors: 41
To help fulfill the Federal mandate to provide higher educational opportunities for Native American Indians.
Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Honda Cosponsors: 34
To amend the Trademark Act of 1946 regarding the disparagement of Native American persons or peoples through marks that use the term "redskin", and for other purposes.
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Stevan Pearce Cosponsors: 17
To reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, and for other purposes.
Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Ben Luján Cosponsors: 10
To amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide flexibility and reauthorization to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.
NATIVE Act
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz Cosponsors: 10
A bill to enhance and integrate Native American tourism, empower Native American communities, increase coordination and collaboration between Federal tourism assets, and expand heritage and cultural tourism opportunities in the United States.
Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Tom Udall Cosponsors: 6
A bill to amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide flexibility and reauthorization to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.
NATIVE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Markwayne Mullin Cosponsors: 5
To enhance and integrate Native American tourism, empower Native American communities, increase coordination and collaboration between Federal tourism assets, and expand heritage and cultural tourism opportunities in the United States.
Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Tester Cosponsors: 4
A bill to promote the academic achievement of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children with the establishment of a Native American language grant program.
Native American Indian Education Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Gardner Cosponsors: 4
A bill to help provide relief to State education budgets during a recovering economy, to help fulfill the Federal mandate to provide higher educational opportunities for Native American Indians, and for other purposes.
Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ben Luján Cosponsors: 2
A bill to strengthen Indian education, and for other purposes.
Native Hawaiian Education Reauthorization Act
Sponsor: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Cosponsors: 2
Amends the Native Hawaiian Education Act to revise the duties and composition of the Native Hawaiian Education Council. Includes charter schools as eligible recipients of Native Hawaiian Education program grants, in addition to Native Hawaiian education organizations, Native Hawaiian community-based organizations, and public and private nonprofit entities.
“A bill to exempt the Indian Health Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and certain other programs for Indians from sequestration”
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Tester Cosponsors: 1
This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt Indian health facilities and services, programs administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and programs under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 from sequestration. Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley Cosponsors: 1
A bill to increase awareness of the Federal student loan income-based repayment plan, and for other purposes.
Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act
Sponsor: Sen. Tom Udall Cosponsors: 1
A bill to strengthen Indian education, and for other purposes.
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015
Sponsor: Sen. John Barrasso Cosponsors: 0
A bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, and for other purposes.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
