
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC2903]

 
                            TITLE 25--INDIANS
 
                  CHAPTER 31--NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES
 
Sec. 2903. Declaration of policy

    It is the policy of the United States to--
        (1) preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of 
    Native Americans to use, practice, and develop Native American 
    languages;
        (2) allow exceptions to teacher certification requirements for 
    Federal programs, and programs funded in whole or in part by the 
    Federal Government, for instruction in Native American languages 
    when such teacher certification requirements hinder the employment 
    of qualified teachers who teach in Native American languages, and to 
    encourage State and territorial governments to make similar 
    exceptions;
        (3) encourage and support the use of Native American languages 
    as a medium of instruction in order to encourage and support--
            (A) Native American language survival,
            (B) educational opportunity,
            (C) increased student success and performance,
            (D) increased student awareness and knowledge of their 
        culture and history, and
            (E) increased student and community pride;

        (4) encourage State and local education programs to work with 
    Native American parents, educators, Indian tribes, and other Native 
    American governing bodies in the implementation of programs to put 
    this policy into effect;
        (5) recognize the right of Indian tribes and other Native 
    American governing bodies to use the Native American languages as a 
    medium of instruction in all schools funded by the Secretary of the 
    Interior;
        (6) fully recognize the inherent right of Indian tribes and 
    other Native American governing bodies, States, territories, and 
    possessions of the United States to take action on, and give 
    official status to, their Native American languages for the purpose 
    of conducting their own business;
        (7) support the granting of comparable proficiency achieved 
    through course work in a Native American language the same academic 
    credit as comparable proficiency achieved through course work in a 
    foreign language, with recognition of such Native American language 
    proficiency by institutions of higher education as fulfilling 
    foreign language entrance or degree requirements; and
        (8) encourage all institutions of elementary, secondary and 
    higher education, where appropriate, to include Native American 
    languages in the curriculum in the same manner as foreign languages 
    and to grant proficiency in Native American languages the same full 
    academic credit as proficiency in foreign languages.

(Pub. L. 101-477, title I, Sec. 104, Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1155.)
