Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 2.djvu/174

 104 STAT. 1154 PUBLIC LAW 101-477—OCT. 30, 1990 (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 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. DEFINITIONS 25 USC 2902. SEC. 103. For purposes of this title— (1) The term "Native American" means an Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander. (2) The term "Indian" has the meaning given to such term under section 5351(4) of the Indian Education Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2651(4)). (3) The term "Native Hawaiian" has the meaning given to such term by section 4009 of Public Law 100-297 (20 U.S.C. 4909). (4) The term "Native American Pacific Islander" means any descendent of the aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is a territory or possession of the United States. (5) The terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" have the respective meaning given to each of such terms under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). (6) The term "Native American language" means the historical, traditional languages spoken by Native Americsms. (7) The term "traditional leaders" includes Native Americans who have special expertise in Native American culture and Native American languages.

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