HF 779

1st Committee Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/22/2009 12:37pm

A bill for an act
relating to Native American languages; establishing the Office of Indigenous
Language; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
3.922, by adding subdivisions.

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 Native Americans is unique and part of
the rich heritage of the state. The state shall collaborate with Native Americans to ensure
the survival of these unique cultures and languages. The legislature further recognizes
Native American culture and language as a vital state treasure and resource. In order to
maximize the potential of Native American 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 Native American 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.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8a. new text end

new text begin Office of Indigenous Language. new text end

new text begin (a) An Office of Indigenous Language
(office) shall be operated under the structure of the Indian Affairs Council. The office shall
promote activities and programs that are specific to promoting revitalization of indigenous
languages for American Indian children and adults. Since language revitalization is
critical for the youngest 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 Office of 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 languages in order for children to learn the
speaking, reading, and writing of native languages.
new text end

new text begin (b) There shall be a director of the Office of Indigenous Language that is authorized
to manage the operation of the office, the activities of the office, and programs sponsored
by the office. The director of the Office of Indigenous Language may hire needed staff to
carry out the functions of the office.
new text end

new text begin (c) The office 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 office shall collaborate with
American Indian community groups to develop the resources needed to provide native
language classes.
new text end

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

new text begin (e) The office 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 office 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 Office of Indigenous Language 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 office shall work in collaboration with the Department of Education,
the Office of Higher Education, and the Department of Human Services to develop a
multitiered system for native speakers to be certified on special status by the Board of
Teaching to enable Native speakers to teach in all language revitalization programs and
schools.
new text end

new text begin (i) The office shall develop an Indigenous Language Institute to develop standards
on curriculum, critical pedagogy, and scope and sequence as it pertains to indigenous
language learning.
new text end

new text begin (j) The Office of Indigenous Language may contract in its own name including
contracting for office space and equipment. Contracts, including grant contracts, must be
approved by the Grants Advisory Board and executed by the director of the office. The
office may apply for, receive, and expend in its own name grants and gifts of money
consistent with the duties specified in this subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8b. new text end

new text begin Grants Advisory Board. new text end

new text begin The Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization
Alliance (DOLRA) shall act in the capacity of the Grants Advisory Board. DOLRA shall
ask each Minnesota Indian Tribe to select a tribal representative to represent the tribe
on DOLRA. In addition to tribal representation, DOLRA shall select American Indian
representatives from the urban Indian community to participate in DOLRA. A Grants
Advisory Board member shall abstain from voting on any grant proposal or other matter in
which the board member's tribe or organization has a financial or controlling interest.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8c. new text end

new text begin Director of the Office of Indigenous Language. new text end

new text begin The director shall be
appointed by the Indian Affairs Council and DOLRA shall assist in hiring the director
of the Office of Indigenous Language who is experienced in administrative activities
and familiar with language revitalization. The director and office staff shall serve in the
unclassified service of the state. The director shall report to the Grants Advisory Board
and the Indian Affairs Council shall provide any requested assistance. The director shall
recommend to the Grants Advisory Board the appropriate staffing necessary to carry
out the office duties.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8d. new text end

new text begin Appropriations and money received for the Office of Indigenous
Language. new text end

new text begin All money and appropriations received for the Office of Indigenous Language
must be directed to the Office of Indigenous Language and 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. 6. new text begin APPROPRIATION; OFFICE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the Indian Affairs Council for the
biennium beginning July 1, 2007. This appropriation must be allocated in total to the
Office of Indigenous Language for language revitalization.
new text end