[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2688 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2688

 To amend the Native American Languages Act to provide for the support 
 of Native American Language Survival Schools, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 June 7 (legislative day, June 6), 2000

Mr. Inouye (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Kennedy, 
Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Schumer) introduced the following bill; which was 
       read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Native American Languages Act to provide for the support 
 of Native American Language Survival Schools, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Languages Act 
Amendments Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) encourage and support the development of Native 
        American Language Survival Schools as innovative means of 
        addressing the effects of past discrimination against Native 
        American language speakers and to support the revitalization of 
        such languages through education in Native American languages 
        and through instruction in other academic subjects using Native 
        American languages as an instructional medium, consistent with 
        United States' policy as expressed in the Native American 
        Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.);
            (2) encourage and support the involvement of families in 
        the educational and cultural survival efforts of Native 
        American Language Survival Schools;
            (3) encourage communication, cooperation, and educational 
        exchange among Native American Language Survival Schools and 
        their administrators;
            (4) provide support for Native American Language Survival 
        School facilities and endowments;
            (5) provide support for Native American Language Nests 
        either as part of Native American Language Survival Schools or 
        as separate programs that will be developed into more 
        comprehensive Native American Language Survival Schools;
            (6) support the development of local and national models 
        that can be disseminated to the public and made available to 
        other schools as exemplary methods of teaching Native American 
        students; and
            (7) develop a support center system for Native American 
        Survival Schools at the university level.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 103 of Public Law 101-477 (25 U.S.C. 2902) is amended to 
read as follows:

                             ``definitions

    ``In this Act:
            ``(1) Indian.--The term `Indian' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 9161 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7881).
            ``(2) Indian tribal government.--The term `Indian tribal 
        government' has the meaning given that term in section 502 of 
        Public Law 95-134 (42 U.S.C. 4368b).
            ``(3) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            ``(4) Indian reservation.--The term `Indian reservation' 
        has the meaning given the term `reservation' in section 3 of 
        the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452).
            ``(5) Native american.--The term `Native American' means an 
        Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander.
            ``(6) Native american language.--The term `Native American 
        language' means the historical, traditional languages spoken by 
        Native Americans.
            ``(7) Native american language college.--The term `Native 
        American Language College' means--
                    ``(A) a tribally-controlled community college or 
                university (as defined in section 2 of the Tribally-
                Controlled Community College or University Assistance 
                Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801));
                    ``(B) Ka Haka `Ula O Ke'elikolani College; or
                    ``(C) a college applying for a Native American 
                Language Survival School in a Native American language 
                which that college regularly offers as part of its 
                curriculum and which has the support of an Indian 
                tribal government traditionally affiliated with that 
                Native American language.
            ``(8) Native american language educational organization.--
        The term `Native American Language Educational Organization' 
        means an organization that--
                    ``(A) is governed by a board consisting of speakers 
                of 1 or more Native American languages;
                    ``(B) is currently providing instruction through 
                the use of a Native American language for not less than 
                10 students for at least 700 hours of instruction per 
                year; and
                    ``(C) has provided such instruction for at least 10 
                students annually through a Native American language 
                for at least 700 hours per year for not less than 3 
                years prior to applying for a grant under this Act.
            ``(9) Native american language nest.--The term `Native 
        American Language Nest' means a site-based educational program 
        enrolling families with children aged 6 and under which is 
        conducted through a Native American language for not less than 
        20 hours per week and not less than 35 weeks per year with the 
        specific goal of strengthening, revitalizing, or re-
        establishing a Native American language and culture as a living 
        language and culture of daily life.
            ``(10) Native american language survival school.--The term 
        `Native American Language Survival School' means a Native 
        American language dominant site-based educational program which 
        expands from a Native American Language Nest, either as a 
        separate entity or inclusive of a Native American Language 
        Nest, to enroll families with children eligible for elementary 
        or secondary education and which provides a complete education 
        through a Native American language with the specific goal of 
        strengthening, revitalizing, or reestablishing a Native 
        American language and culture as a living language and culture 
        of daily life.
            ``(11) Native american pacific islander.--The term `Native 
        American Pacific Islander' means any descendant of the 
        aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is a 
        territory or possession of the United States.
            ``(12) Native hawaiian.--The term `Native Hawaiian' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 9212 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7912).
            ``(13) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of the Department of Education.
            ``(14) Traditional leaders.--The term `traditional leaders' 
        includes Native Americans who have special expertise in Native 
        American culture and Native American languages.
            ``(15) Tribal organization.--The term `tribal organization' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        450b).''.

SEC. 4. NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE SURVIVAL SCHOOLS.

    Title I of Public Law 101-477 (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new sections:

                          ``general authority

    ``Sec. 108. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
funds, through grant or contract, to Native American Language 
Educational Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, Indian 
tribal governments, or a consortia of such organizations, colleges, or 
tribal governments to operate, expand, and increase Native American 
Language Survival Schools throughout the United States and its 
territories for Native American children and Native American language-
speaking children.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--As a condition of receiving funds under 
subsection (a), a Native American Language Educational Organization, a 
Native American Language College, an Indian tribal government, or a 
consortia of such organizations, colleges, or tribal governments--
            ``(1) shall--
                    ``(A) have at least 3 years experience in operating 
                and administering a Native American Language Survival 
                School, a Native American Language Nest, or other 
                educational programs in which instruction is conducted 
                in a Native American language; and
                    ``(B) include students who are subject to State 
                compulsory education laws; and
            ``(2) may include students from infancy through grade 12, 
        as well as their families.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) Required uses.--A Native American Language Survival 
        School receiving funds under this section shall--
                    ``(A) consist of not less than 700 hours of 
                instruction conducted annually through a Native 
                American language or languages for at least 15 students 
                who do not regularly attend another school;
                    ``(B) provide direct educational services and 
                school support services that may also include--
                            ``(i) support services for children with 
                        special needs;
                            ``(ii) transportation;
                            ``(iii) boarding;
                            ``(iv) food service;
                            ``(v) teacher and staff housing;
                            ``(vi) purchase of basic materials;
                            ``(vii) adaptation of teaching materials;
                            ``(viii) translation and development; or
                            ``(ix) other appropriate services;
                    ``(C) provide direct or indirect educational and 
                support services for the families of enrolled students 
                on site, through colleges, or through other means to 
                increase their knowledge and use of the Native American 
                language and culture, and may impose a requirement of 
                family participation as a condition of student 
                enrollment; and
                    ``(D) ensure that students who are not Native 
                American language speakers achieve fluency in a Native 
                American language within 3 years of enrollment.
            ``(2) Permissible uses.--A Native American Language 
        Survival School receiving funds under this section may--
                    ``(A) include Native American Language Nests and 
                other educational programs for students who are not 
                Native American language speakers but who seek to 
                establish fluency through instruction in a Native 
                American language or to re-establish fluency as 
                descendants of Native American language speakers;
                    ``(B) include a program of concurrent and summer 
                college or university education course enrollment for 
                secondary school students enrolled in Native American 
                Language Survival Schools, as appropriate; and
                    ``(C) provide special support for Native American 
                languages for which there are very few or no remaining 
                Native American language speakers.
    ``(d) Curriculum Development and Community Language Use 
Development.--The Secretary is authorized to provide funds, through 
grant or contract, to Native American Language Educational 
Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, Indian tribal 
governments, or a consortia of such organizations, colleges, or tribal 
governments, for the purpose of developing--
            ``(1) comprehensive curricula in Native American language 
        instruction and instruction through Native American languages; 
        and
            ``(2) community Native American language use in communities 
        served by Native American Language Survival Schools.
    ``(e) Teacher, Staff, and Community Resource Development.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
        funds, through grant or contract, to Native American Language 
        Educational Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, 
        Indian tribal governments, or a consortia of such 
        organizations, colleges, or tribal governments for the purpose 
        of providing programs in pre-service and in-service teacher 
        training, staff training, personnel development programs, 
        programs to upgrade teacher and staff skills, and community 
        resource development training, that shall include a program 
        component which has as its objective increased Native American 
        language speaking proficiency for teachers and staff employed 
        in Native American Language Survival Schools and Native 
        American Language Nests.
            ``(2) Program scope.--Programs funded under this subsection 
        may include--
                    ``(A) visits or exchanges among Native American 
                Language Survival Schools and Native American Language 
                Nests of school or nest teachers, staff, students, or 
                families of students;
                    ``(B) participation in conference or special non-
                degree programs focusing on the use of a Native 
                American language or languages for the education of 
                students, teachers, staff, students, or families of 
                students;
                    ``(C) full or partial scholarships and fellowships 
                to colleges or universities for the professional 
                development of faculty and staff, and to meet 
                requirements for the involvement of the family or the 
                community of Native American Language Survival School 
                students in Native American Language Survival Schools;
                    ``(D) training in the language and culture 
                associated with a Native American Language Survival 
                School either under community or academic experts in 
                programs which may include credit courses;
                    ``(E) structuring of personnel operations to 
                support Native American language and cultural fluency 
                and program effectiveness;
                    ``(F) Native American language planning, 
                documentation, reference material and archives 
                development; and
                    ``(G) recruitment for participation in teacher, 
                staff, student, and community development.
            ``(3) Conditions of fellowships or scholarships.--A 
        recipient of a fellowship or scholarship awarded under the 
        authority of this subsection who is enrolled in a program 
        leading to a degree or certificate shall--
                    ``(A) be trained in the Native American language of 
                the Native American Language Survival School, if such 
                program is available through that Native American 
                language;
                    ``(B) complete a minimum annual number of hours in 
                Native American language study or training during the 
                period of the fellowship or scholarship; and
                    ``(C) enter into a contract which obligates the 
                recipient to provide his or her professional services, 
                either during the fellowship or scholarship period or 
                upon completion of a degree or certificate, in Native 
                American language instruction in the Native American 
                language associated with the Native American Language 
                Survival School in which the service obligation is to 
                be fulfilled.
    ``(f) Endowment and Facilities.--The Secretary is authorized to 
provide funds, through grant or contract, for endowment funds and the 
rental, lease, purchase, construction, maintenance, or repair of 
facilities for Native American Language Survival Schools, to Native 
American Language Educational Organizations, Native American Language 
Colleges, and Indian tribal governments, or a consortia of such 
organizations, colleges, or tribal governments that have demonstrated 
excellence in the capacity to operate and administer a Native American 
Language Survival School and to ensure the academic achievement of 
Native American Language Survival School students.

                    ``native american language nests

    ``Sec. 109. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
funds, through grant or contract, to Native American Language 
Educational Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, Indian 
tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate the 
potential to become Native American Language Educational Organizations, 
for the purpose of establishing Native American Language Nest programs 
for students from infancy to age 6 and their families.
    ``(b) Requirements.--A Native American Language Nest program 
receiving funds under this section shall--
            ``(1) provide instruction and child care through the use of 
        a Native American language or a combination of the English 
        language and a Native American language for at least 10 
        children for at least 700 hours per year;
            ``(2) provide compulsory classes for parents of students 
        enrolled in a Native American Language Nest in a Native 
        American language, including Native American language-speaking 
        parents;
            ``(3) provide compulsory monthly meetings for parents and 
        other family members of students enrolled in a Native American 
        Language Nest;
            ``(4) provide a preference in enrollment for students and 
        families who are fluent in a Native American language; and
            ``(5) receive at least 5 percent of its funding from 
        another source, which may included Federally-funded programs, 
        such as a Head Start program funded under the Head Start Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.).

       ``demonstration programs regarding linguistics assistance

    ``Sec. 110. (a) Demonstration Programs.--The Secretary shall 
provide funds, through grant or contract, for the establishment of 2 
demonstration programs that will provide assistance to Native American 
Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests. Such 
demonstration programs shall be established at--
            ``(1) Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of the University 
        of Hawaii at Hilo, in consortium with the `Aha Punana Leo, 
        Inc., and with other entities if deemed appropriate by such 
        College, to--
                    ``(A) conduct a demonstration program in the 
                development of the various components of a Native 
                American Language Survival School program, including 
                the early childhood education features of a Native 
                American Nest component; and
                    ``(B) provide assistance in the establishment, 
                operation, and administration of Native American 
                Language Nests and Native American Language Survival 
                Schools by such means as training, hosting 
                informational visits to demonstration sites, and 
                providing relevant information, outreach courses, 
                conferences, and other means; and
            ``(2) the Alaska Native Language Center of the University 
        of Alaska at Fairbanks, in consortium with other entities as 
        deemed appropriate by such Center, to conduct a demonstration 
        program, training, outreach, conferences, visitation programs, 
        and other assistance in developing orthographies, resource 
        materials, language documentation, language preservation, 
        material archiving, and community support development.
    ``(b) Use of Technology.--The demonstration programs authorized to 
be established under this section may employ synchronic and asynchronic 
telecommunications and other appropriate means to maintain coordination 
and cooperation with one another and with participating Native American 
Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests.
    ``(c) Direction to the Secretary.--The demonstration programs 
authorized to be established under this section shall provide direction 
to the Secretary in developing a site visit evaluation of Native 
American Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests.
    ``(d) Endowments and Facilities.--The demonstration programs 
authorized to be established under this section may establish 
endowments for the purpose of furthering their activities relative to 
the study and preservation of Native American languages, and may use 
funds to provide for the rental, lease, purchase, construction, 
maintenance, and repair of facilities.

                   ``authorization of appropriations

    ``Sec. 111. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Act for 
fiscal years 2001 through 2006.''.
                                 <all>