179 
(4) NATIVE HAWAIIAN OR NATIVE AMERICAN 
PACIFIC ISLANDER NATIVE LANGUAGE EDUCATIONAL 
ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Native Hawaiian or 
Native American Pacific Islander native language 
educational organization’’ shall have the meaning 
given such term in section 3301 of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7011). 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
(6) STEM.—The term ‘‘STEM’’ means a 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
program. 
(7) TRIBALLY SANCTIONED EDUCATIONAL AU-
THORITY.—The term ‘‘tribally sanctioned edu-
cational authority’’ shall have the meaning given 
such term in section 3301 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7011). 
(b) IN GENERAL.—There shall be established a Cen-
ter for Indigenous Excellence to— 
(1) support Native American governments, com-
munities, schools, and programs in the development 
and demonstration of Native American language and 
culture-based education from the preschool to grad-
uate education levels as appropriate for their distinc-
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tive populations, circumstances, visions, and holistic 
approaches for the benefit of the entire community; 
(2) provide direction to Federal, State, and 
local government entities relative to Native American 
language and culture-based education; 
(3) demonstrate nationally and internationally 
recognized educational best practices through inte-
grated programming in Native American language 
and culture-based education from the preschool to 
graduate education levels that benefits the entire 
specific indigenous group regardless of its geo-
graphic dispersal, including— 
(A) teacher certification; 
(B) curriculum and materials development; 
(C) distance education support; 
(D) research; and 
(E) holistic approaches; 
(4) serve as an alternative pathway of choice 
for meeting federally mandated academic assess-
ments, teacher qualifications, and curriculum design 
for Native American language nests and Native 
American language survival schools; and 
(5) serve as a coordinating entity and deposi-
tory for federally funded research into Native Amer-
ican language and culture-based education including 
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STEM applications that will address workforce 
needs of Native American communities. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For the purpose of deter-
mining the site of the Center for Indigenous Excellence, 
the Secretary shall consider the following to be an eligible 
entity: 
(1) A tribally sanctioned educational authority. 
(2) A Native American language college. 
(3) A Native Hawaiian or Native American Pa-
cific Islander native language educational organiza-
tion. 
(4) An institution of higher education with a 
commitment to serve Native American communities. 
(5) A local educational agency with a commit-
ment to serve Native American communities. 
(d) CRITERIA FOR SELECTION.—The Secretary shall 
determine the site of the Center for Indigenous Excellence 
based on— 
(1) a record of excellence, on a national and 
international level, with regard to Native American 
language and culture-based education; 
(2) a high representation of Native Americans 
among its personnel; 
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(3) a high representation of speakers of 1 or 
more Native American languages among its per-
sonnel; and 
(4) a location in a community with a high rep-
resentation of Native Americans. 
(e) ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS AND CON-
SORTIA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Once established, the Center 
for Indigenous Excellence may develop partnerships 
or consortia with other entities throughout the 
United States with expertise appropriate to the mis-
sion of the Center and include such entities in its 
work. 
(2) ASSISTANCE
TO
PARTNERS.—The Center 
shall provide assistance to partners, to the extent 
practicable, in curriculum development, technology 
development, teacher and staff training, research, 
and sustaining Native American language nests, Na-
tive American survival schools, and Native American 
language schools. 
Æ 
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