25 U.S.C. § 2901 : US Code - Section 2901: Findings

Search 25 U.S.C. § 2901 : US Code - Section 2901: Findings

The Congress finds that -
(1) the status of the cultures and languages of Native
Americans is unique and the United States has the responsibility
to act together with Native Americans to ensure the survival of
these unique cultures and languages;
(2) special status is accorded Native Americans in the United
States, a status that recognizes distinct cultural and political
rights, including the right to continue separate identities;
(3) the traditional languages of Native Americans are an
integral part of their cultures and identities and form the basic
medium for the transmission, and thus survival, of Native
American cultures, literatures, histories, religions, political
institutions, and values;
(4) there is a widespread practice of treating Native Americans
(!1) languages as if they were anachronisms;
(5) there is a lack of clear, comprehensive, and consistent
Federal policy on treatment of Native American languages which
has often resulted in acts of suppression and extermination of
Native American languages and cultures;
(6) there is convincing evidence that student achievement and
performance, community and school pride, and educational
opportunity is clearly and directly tied to respect for, and
support of, the first language of the child or student;
(7) it is clearly in the interests of the United States,
individual States, and territories to encourage the full academic
and human potential achievements of all students and citizens and
to take steps to realize these ends;
(8) acts of suppression and extermination directed against
Native American languages and cultures are in conflict with the
United States policy of self-determination for Native Americans;
(9) languages are the means of communication for the full range
of human experiences and are critical to the survival of cultural
and political integrity of any people; and
(10) language provides a direct and powerful means of promoting
international communication by people who share languages.