HF 779

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to American Indian languages; establishing the Council on Indigenous
Language; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
new text end

new text begin The status of the cultures and languages of American Indians is unique and part of
the rich heritage of the state. The state shall collaborate with American Indians to ensure
the survival of these unique cultures and languages. The legislature further recognizes
American Indian culture and language as a vital state treasure and resource. In order to
maximize the potential of American Indian language resources, the legislature recognizes
the need to encourage indigenous language development and continuation, especially
among children.
new text end

new text begin The legislature recognizes that one-third of indigenous tongues have disappeared
since the coming of Columbus. Of those that survive, nine out of ten are no longer spoken
by children. If this erosion continues, virtually all American Indian languages could be
extinct within two or three generations. Along with this erosion goes part of the history of
our state. There are many benefits to preserving indigenous languages. These include:
cognitive and academic growth among students; help with identity conflicts; preservation
of family values; increased cultural vitality; preserving unique traditional tribal ecological
knowledge; preserving Minnesota's indigenous native history; and increased student
self-esteem and self-sufficiency. These benefits reflect in greater community involvement
in tribal communities and for the state. Children who are schooled in their native language
will demonstrate greater creativity and participation in the community and the state as
a whole.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [3.9228] COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation; membership; executive director. new text end

new text begin (a) The Council on
Indigenous Language is created and membership shall consist of a member appointed
by each of the 11 tribes in Minnesota and ten members from the Indian communities
in this state, including members with expertise in languages indigenous to this state.
The ten Indian community members shall be selected by the Dakota/Ojibwe Language
Revitalization Alliance. The tribal appointments to the council are not subject to the open
appointments process under section 15.0597.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall annually elect a chair and executive secretary and other officers
it deems necessary. The chair may appoint subcommittees necessary to fulfill the duties
of the council. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the
council is not subject to the expiration date in section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin (c) The council shall select an executive director to manage the operations of
the council. The executive director of the Council on Indigenous Language may hire
staff necessary to carry out the functions of the council. The executive director must be
experienced in administrative activities and familiar with language revitalization. The
executive director and office staff shall serve in the unclassified service of the state.
new text end

new text begin (d) Members of the council may receive per diem and expense payments as provided
in section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The council shall develop specific guidelines for funding
community and educational programs that provide language revitalization to meet the
needs of the community. In order to develop these guidelines, the council shall collaborate
with American Indian community groups to develop the resources needed to provide
native language classes.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall promote activities and programs that are specific to promoting
revitalization of indigenous language for American Indian children and adults. Since
language revitalization is critical for the youngest of American Indian children, the
council shall focus on developing programs that meet the language needs of children in
prekindergarten through grade 12. In addition, the Council on Indigenous Language shall
work with community groups, educational groups and institutions, and tribes to identify
programs that will promote the preservation and revitalization of indigenous language in
order for children to learn the speaking, reading, and writing of native language.
new text end

new text begin (c) The council shall administer grants to organizations, programs, and schools
that meet the guidelines developed by the council for programs that provide language
revitalization to children and adults.
new text end

new text begin (d) The council shall establish grant criteria and funding priorities to fulfill its
purpose.
new text end

new text begin (e) The council shall consult with tribal governments to maximize the effectiveness
and coordination of policies and programs that support language and culture and
collaborate with tribal governments to develop an integrated language strategy.
new text end

new text begin (f) The council shall explore funding opportunities with the United States
Department of Education and other federal agencies to meet the special needs of students
for native language learning.
new text end

new text begin (g) The council shall work with existing government and tribal agencies to integrate
funding and remove barriers to enable statewide language revitalization efforts to be
successful.
new text end

new text begin (h) The council shall work collaboratively to enable native speakers to teach in all
language revitalization programs and schools and to develop standards on curriculum,
critical pedagogy, and scope and sequence as it pertains to indigenous language learning,
consistent with world language standards under section 120B.022.
new text end

new text begin (i) The council may contract in its own name including contracting for office space
and equipment. Contracts, including grant contracts, must be approved and executed by
the executive director of the council. The council may apply for, receive, and expend in its
own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the duties specified in this section.
Grants and gifts of money received are appropriated to the council for its purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin The council shall report to the legislature by January 15
of each year regarding the use of indigenous languages within the state and the status of
programs and efforts to preserve and promote them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin Meetings may be called by the chair or at the written request of
five members of the council. A majority of the voting members of the council is a quorum.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin State agency assistance. new text end

new text begin Upon request, other state agencies shall supply
the council with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
council. The council shall have the right to call upon various state departments for
technical advice and services as needed to fulfill its purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Appropriations and money received for the Council on Indigenous
Language. new text end

new text begin All money and appropriations received for the Council on Indigenous
Language must be used to further the purpose of language revitalization. Money and
appropriations received for language revitalization shall not be transferred or reallocated
for any other purpose.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin INITIAL MEETING.
new text end

new text begin The initial meeting of the Council on Indigenous Language shall be convened by a
facilitator designated by the Minnesota Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance.
The facilitator shall chair the first meeting and subsequent meetings until the council
elects a chair.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $...... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Council on Indigenous Language.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $...... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
the general fund to the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for grants to
the Council on Indigenous Language for training teachers of indigenous American Indian
language. This appropriation must be included in the base budget for the office.
new text end

new text begin (c) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of human services for grants to the Council on
Indigenous Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must
be included in the agency's base budget.
new text end

new text begin (d) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of education for grants to the Council on Indigenous
Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must be included
in the agency's base budget.
new text end