Honoring Promises to Native America
The Indigenous Sovereignty and Reconciliation Act cleared a key congressional committee this week, advancing legislation that would strengthen tribal governance, honor treaty obligations, and invest in long-neglected Native American communities.
The bill addresses systematic underfunding of the federal government's trust responsibilities to tribal nations, which has resulted in some of the worst poverty, health outcomes, and educational attainment rates in the country on reservations and in Native communities.
Key Provisions
- $25 billion in mandatory funding for the Indian Health Service, addressing chronic underfunding
- Restoration of tribal jurisdiction over all crimes committed on tribal lands
- Investment in broadband, clean water, and housing infrastructure in tribal communities
- Support for Indigenous language preservation and cultural programs
"For too long, the federal government has broken its promises to tribal nations," said a tribal leader. "This legislation begins to honor those commitments and respects our sovereignty as nations."
