I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2412 
To establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 27, 2025 
Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. MCGOVERN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Indigenous Diplomacy 
and Engagement Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) There are an estimated 476,000,000 Indige-
nous Peoples worldwide who share a common herit-
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age of collective ancestral ties to the lands and nat-
ural resources where they and their ancestors live or 
have lived together with their own unique cultures, 
languages and traditions. 
(2) The Indigenous Peoples of the world also 
share a common challenge and goal of preserving 
and protecting their ancestral lands and natural re-
sources and unique cultures, languages and tradi-
tions. 
(3) The status, rights, challenges and goals of 
Indigenous Peoples worldwide have been recognized 
by various international organizations, including by 
the United Nations in its September 13, 2007, Dec-
laration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 
(4) The United States should expand its direct 
engagement with Indigenous Peoples worldwide in 
order to better assist Indigenous Peoples to achieve 
their goals and focus on common challenges and op-
portunities. 
SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY FOR 
PROMOTING DIPLOMACY AND ENGAGEMENT 
WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT
AND
IMPLEMENTATION
OF 
STRATEGY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
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President, acting through the Coordinator for Indigenous 
Affairs appointed pursuant to section 4(b), shall— 
(1) develop and implement a comprehensive, 5- 
year international strategy for promoting diplomacy 
and engagements with international Indigenous peo-
ples; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees such strategy. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following elements: 
(1) An identification, for purposes of the strat-
egy, of at least 10 and not more than 20 countries 
that— 
(A) are geographically, ethnically, and cul-
turally diverse; and 
(B) have significant populations of Indige-
nous peoples. 
(2) An assessment of the following with respect 
to each country identified pursuant to paragraph 
(1): 
(A) The nature and extent of United 
States diplomacy and engagement with inter-
national Indigenous peoples in the country. 
(B) The efforts of the government of the 
country to promote and facilitate people-to-peo-
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ple engagements involving international Indige-
nous peoples and domestic Indigenous peoples. 
(C) Opportunities for the United States to 
establish or enhance diplomacy and engagement 
with international Indigenous peoples in the 
country and how such establishment or en-
hancement would support the broader foreign 
policy goals of the United States. 
(D) Metrics by which to evaluate the over-
all progress of United States efforts to promote 
and facilitate diplomacy and engagements with 
international Indigenous peoples in the country. 
(3) A plan (developed taking into consideration 
the results of the assessment under paragraph (2)), 
including an outline of specific programs, activities, 
or other efforts that may be conducted, to— 
(A) promote and facilitate, in cooperation 
with the government of each country identified 
pursuant to paragraph (1), activities that en-
hance diplomacy and engagement with the In-
digenous peoples of that country; and 
(B) coordinate regarding such promotion 
and facilitation with existing programs and ini-
tiatives involving Indigenous peoples, including 
coordination with the heads of nongovernmental 
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organizations, civil society, and Indigenous 
groups. 
(4) An identification of the general levels of re-
sources necessary on an annual basis to implement 
the plan under paragraph (3) in each country identi-
fied pursuant to paragraph (1), taking into account 
activities and funding provided by the country and 
multilateral institutions and leveraging private sector 
resources. 
(5) An identification of the relevant Federal de-
partments and agencies conducting the programs, 
activities, and other efforts described with respect to 
the plan required by paragraph (3). 
(6) For each such Federal department or agen-
cy, an assessment of the anticipated contributions of 
that department or agency (including technical, fi-
nancial, and in-kind contributions) to implement 
such plan. 
(c) COLLABORATION.—In developing the strategy 
under subsection (a), the President, acting through the 
Coordinator, shall consult with— 
(1) the Secretary of State; 
(2) the Secretary of the Interior; 
(3) the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development; 
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(4) the Chief Executive Officer of the Millen-
nium Challenge Corporation; 
(5) the Chief Executive Officer of the Develop-
ment Finance Corporation; 
(6) the Advisory Commission on Indigenous 
Peoples established under section 6; and 
(7) nongovernmental organizations that dem-
onstrate sufficient background, knowledge, and ex-
pertise— 
(A) working on the issues of Indigenous 
rights or resources; or 
(B) engaging with international Indigenous 
peoples. 
(d) 
SUSTAINABILITY
AND
IMPACT
CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—In implementing the strategy under subsection 
(a) and the plan required by subsection (b)(3), the Presi-
dent shall ensure that the policies and initiatives carried 
out pursuant to such strategy are designed to achieve 
maximum impact and long-term sustainability. 
SEC. 4. OFFICE FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an Office 
for Indigenous Affairs (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Office’’) for the purpose of coordinating all efforts of the 
Federal Government regarding diplomacy and engage-
ments with international Indigenous peoples. 
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(b) COORDINATOR.—The Office shall be headed by 
the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Coordinator’’), who shall— 
(1) be appointed by the President, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate; 
(2) report directly to the Secretary of State; 
and 
(3) have the rank and status of Ambassador at 
Large. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Coordinator shall have the fol-
lowing responsibilities: 
(1) To design, oversee, and coordinate activities 
and programs of the Federal Government relating to 
diplomacy and engagement with international Indig-
enous peoples. 
(2) To direct United States resources to— 
(A) increase and enhance diplomatic ex-
change and engagements with international In-
digenous peoples; and 
(B) assist in the development of the com-
prehensive international strategy under section 
3 to promote diplomacy and engagements with 
international Indigenous peoples and domestic 
Indigenous peoples. 
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(d) PRINCIPAL ADVISOR.—In addition to the duties 
under subsection (c), the Coordinator shall serve as the 
principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding mat-
ters relating to international Indigenous peoples. 
(e) DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION.—Subject to the 
direction of the President and the Secretary of State, the 
Coordinator may represent the United States in matters 
relevant to diplomacy and engagements with international 
Indigenous peoples in— 
(1) contacts with Tribal representatives in other 
countries, foreign governments, nongovernmental or-
ganizations, the United Nations and its specialized 
agencies, and other international organizations of 
which the United States is a member; and 
(2) multilateral conferences and meetings rel-
evant to diplomacy and engagements with inter-
national Indigenous peoples. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Coordinator such 
sums as may be necessary to carry out the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the Office for Indigenous Affairs as estab-
lished by this section. Amount appropriated pursuant to 
this authorization are authorized to remain available until 
expended and shall supplement, not supplant, amounts 
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otherwise authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
purposes described in this section. 
SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL 
DIPLOMACY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIG-
ENOUS PEOPLE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after date 
of the submission of the comprehensive international strat-
egy developed under section 3, and every 4 years there-
after, the Secretary of State, acting through the Coordi-
nator for Indigenous Affairs appointed pursuant to section 
4(b), shall submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a report to be titled the ‘‘Report on International 
Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement’’. 
(b) MATTERS.—Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) The goals and objectives of the comprehen-
sive international strategy developed under section 3. 
(2) The assessment of the Coordinator of the 
effectiveness to date of the strategy, including the 
specific criteria used in such assessment. 
(3) A description of the coordination of all Fed-
eral Government resources and international activi-
ties to engage with and support international Indige-
nous peoples that includes— 
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(A) an identification of the Federal depart-
ments or agencies involved; 
(B) a description of the coordination be-
tween the heads of such Federal departments 
and agencies; and 
(C) a description of the coordination with 
non-Federal Government entities, including for-
eign governments, multilateral organizations 
and institutions, and nongovernmental organi-
zations. 
(4) A description of the relationship between— 
(A) efforts to support international Indige-
nous peoples; 
(B) other United States assistance strate-
gies in developing countries; and 
(C) diplomatic relationships with such 
countries. 
(5) A description of efforts to design, support, 
and implement activities in response to the needs of 
international Indigenous peoples and in furtherance 
of United States diplomatic and peacemaking initia-
tives. 
(6) A description of data collection efforts con-
ducted under programs authorized by this Act or the 
amendments made by this Act. 
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(7) A description of any significant efforts by 
bilateral or multilateral donors in support of inter-
national Indigenous peoples. 
(8) An identification of all contractors, sub-
contractors, grantees, and subgrantees receiving 
United States funds for programs supporting inter-
national Indigenous peoples. 
(9) Recommendations related to best practices, 
effective strategies, and suggested improvements to 
enhance the impact of efforts to support inter-
national Indigenous peoples. 
(10) A description of United States resources 
that are being used— 
(A) to implement the strategy developed 
under section 3; 
(B) to respond to needs of international 
Indigenous people; 
(C) to promote equity and advance the sta-
tus of international Indigenous people; and 
(D) to encourage all parties to engage with 
and support the participation of international 
Indigenous peoples in decisions affecting their 
lands, cultures, and traditions, the allocation of 
natural resources, and the protection of the civil 
and political rights of such peoples. 
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SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Department of State an Advisory Commission on In-
digenous Peoples (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Advi-
sory Commission’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Advisory Commission 
shall be composed of— 
(A) the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs 
appointed pursuant to section 4(b), who shall 
serve as chair; 
(B) 8 members appointed by the Secretary 
of State, from among individuals who are not 
officers or employees of the Federal Govern-
ment; 
(C) 3 members appointed by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate on the joint rec-
ommendation of the Majority and Minority 
Leaders of the Senate; 
(D) 3 members appointed by the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives on the joint 
recommendation of the Majority and Minority 
Leaders of the House of Representatives; and 
(E) 1 representative from each of— 
(i) the National Congress of American 
Indians; 
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(ii) the Alaska Federation of Natives; 
and 
(iii) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 
(2) SELECTION.—The members of the Advisory 
Commission described in subparagraphs (B) through 
(D) of paragraph (1) shall be selected from among— 
(A) academics representative of the various 
scholarly approaches to the history of the rights 
and resources of international Indigenous peo-
ples; 
(B) representatives of nongovernmental or-
ganizations and other institutions having the 
background, knowledge, and expertise related to 
diplomacy and engagements with international 
Indigenous peoples and domestic Indigenous 
peoples; and 
(C) other distinguished individuals noted 
for their diverse background, knowledge, and 
expertise in the fields relevant to international 
Indigenous peoples, including foreign affairs, 
human rights, and international law. 
(3) TIME
OF
APPOINTMENT.—The appoint-
ments of the members described in subparagraphs 
(B) through (D) of paragraph (1) should be made 
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not later than 120 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(4) TERMS.—The term of each member ap-
pointed in accordance with paragraph (3) to the Ad-
visory Commission shall be 3 years. Members shall 
be eligible for reappointment to a second term. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Advisory Commission shall— 
(1) annually make recommendations to the Sec-
retary of State regarding best practices to promote 
diplomacy and engagements with international In-
digenous peoples and the effective integration of 
such practices into the foreign policy of the United 
States, including assistance programming; and 
(2) consult with members of the Federal Gov-
ernment, domestic and international Indigenous 
leaders, and with private groups and individuals with 
expertise on the promotion of diplomacy and engage-
ments with international Indigenous peoples. 
(d) HEARINGS.—In carrying out this section, the Ad-
visory Commission may conduct such hearings, sit and at 
such times and places, take such testimony, and receive 
such evidence, as the Advisory Commission considers ap-
propriate. 
(e) FUNDING.—Members of the Advisory Commission 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
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of subsistence at rates authorized for employees of agen-
cies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
places of business in the performance of duties for the Ad-
visory Commission. 
(f) REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION.—Not 
later than April 1 of each year, the Advisory Commission 
shall submit to the President, the Secretary of State, and 
the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
sets forth its findings and recommendations for United 
States policy and programs. 
SEC. 7. TRAINING FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS ON 
INTERNATIONAL 
INDIGENOUS 
DIPLOMACY 
AND ENGAGEMENT. 
Section 708 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 
U.S.C. 4028) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.—The Secretary of 
State, acting through the Coordinator for Indigenous Af-
fairs, shall establish, as part of the standard training pro-
vided for chiefs of mission, deputy chiefs of mission, and 
other officers of the Service prior to departure for posting 
outside the United States, training on the history and cul-
ture of the Indigenous communities that reside near the 
applicable posts of assignment, along with guidance on 
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ways to engage with and provide direct support to individ-
uals from those communities.’’. 
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations 
and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
Senate. 
(2) COORDINATOR.—The term ‘‘Coordinator’’ 
means the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs ap-
pointed pursuant to section 4(b). 
(3) DOMESTIC
INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES.—The 
term ‘‘domestic Indigenous peoples’’ means— 
(A) Indians, as that term is defined in sec-
tion 4(d) of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d)); 
(B) Native Hawaiians, as that term is de-
fined in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian 
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517); 
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(C) Alaska Natives, within the meaning 
provided for the term ‘‘Native’’ in section 3(b) 
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1602(b)); and 
(D) Pacific Islanders, as such term is de-
fined in section 815 of the Native American 
Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992c). 
(4) INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.—The term ‘‘Indige-
nous peoples’’— 
(A) means distinct social and cultural 
groups that the Coordinator for Indigenous Af-
fairs designates as such, taking into account 
relevant factors such as internationally recog-
nized definitions of Indigenous Peoples, histor-
ical context, and sociological circumstances; and 
(B) includes domestic Indigenous peoples 
and international Indigenous peoples. 
(5) INTERNATIONAL
INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES.— 
The term ‘‘international Indigenous peoples’’ means 
the peoples indigenous to foreign countries or for-
eign territories. 
Æ 
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