SF3129

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to support Native American cultural, arts, and historical programs through targeted state funding. It emphasizes preserving and promoting the Dakota and Ojibwe Indian languages and complying with federal laws concerning Native American cultural heritage.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill appropriates a total of $4.9 million over two fiscal years (2026 and 2027) from the arts and cultural heritage fund. These funds are specifically allocated to the Indian Affairs Council.

• Support for Cultural and Historical Programs:

  • $2.5 million per fiscal year for competitive grants focused on Native American culture, arts, and historical programs.

• Language Preservation Grants:

  • $850,000 per fiscal year to provide grants to Minnesota Tribal Nations for the preservation of the Dakota and Ojibwe languages.
  • $650,000 per fiscal year for grants to Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion educational institutions.

• Language Education Support:

  • $600,000 per fiscal year to fund educational programs and immersion efforts in the Dakota and Ojibwe languages.

• Working Group and Compliance Initiatives:

  • $50,000 per fiscal year for a working group on Dakota and Ojibwe languages.
  • $150,000 per fiscal year to help the Indian Affairs Council comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, as required by state and federal law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill specifies new funding appropriations targeted at preserving Native American languages and supporting cultural programs, thereby reinforcing existing commitments to cultural heritage and language preservation within Native American communities. It also ensures adherence to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Relevant Terms

Native American culture, Dakota language, Ojibwe language, language preservation, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Indian Affairs Council, arts and cultural heritage fund, tribal nations, immersion education, language education.