Indigenous Peoples Exchange and Economic Cooperation Act
Bill: H.R.6097 | Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. (D-CA)
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
Indigenous Peoples Exchange and Economic Cooperation Act
This bill requires certain agencies to facilitate contacts and cooperation between federally recognized tribes and Indigenous peoples of other countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Commerce, in coordination with the Department of the Interior, to submit a strategy to Congress. The strategy must promote and facilitate (1) cross-investments and export opportunities between tribes and Indigenous peoples in tribal businesses and commercial enterprises that involve Indigenous peoples, and (2) the development of supply chains for U.S. entities that include certified products produced by tribes and Indigenous peoples.
Additionally, the Inter-American Foundation, the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation must (1) consult with representatives of civil society organizations, especially organizations comprised of or representing the interests of Indigenous peoples; and (2) provide assistance to Western Hemisphere countries that promotes and facilitates entrepreneurship among Indigenous peoples.

To facilitate contacts and cooperation, including commercial 
relationships, between Native American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in 
            the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Indigenous Peoples Exchange and 
Economic Cooperation Act''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States to facilitate contacts and 
cooperation, including commercial relationships, between Native 
American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere, in 
accordance with regional trade agreements and the Presidential 
memorandum titled ``Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening 
Nation-to-Nation Relationships'', dated January 26, 2021, which directs 
executive branches to engage in ``regular, meaningful, and robust 
consultation with Tribal officials''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Native american tribes.--The term ``Native American 
        Tribe'' means any federally recognized Tribe.
            (2) Indigenous peoples.--The term ``Indigenous peoples'' 
        means peoples residing in foreign countries and territories in 
        the Western Hemisphere who have historical ties to a particular 
        territory and are culturally or historically distinct from the 
        politically dominant population.

SEC. 4. STRATEGY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with 
the Secretary of Interior, shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a strategy, in consultation with the 
individuals listed in subsection (b), to promote and facilitate--
            (1) cross-investments and export opportunities between 
        Native American Tribes and Indigenous peoples in Tribal 
        businesses and commercial enterprises that involve Indigenous 
        peoples, such as sustainable natural resource management, 
        agricultural development, timber, fish and other seafood, 
        energy, handicraft and art production, or entrepreneurship for 
        economic growth and diversification; and
            (2) the development of supply chains for United States 
        entities that include certified products produced by Native 
        American Tribes and Indigenous peoples.
    (b) Consultation Required.--The individuals referred to in 
subsection (a) are the following:
            (1) The President of the Inter-American Foundation.
            (2) The Secretary of State.
            (3) The United States Trade Representative.
            (4) The Secretary of Agriculture.
            (5) The Secretary of Energy.
            (6) The Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
            (7) The Administrator and the Advisor for Indigenous 
        Peoples Issues of the United States Agency for International 
        Development.
            (8) The Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
        International Development Finance Corporation.
            (9) The Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge 
        Corporation.
            (10) Representatives of Native American Tribes.
            (11) Representatives of civil society organizations 
        advocating for the rights or interests of Indigenous peoples.
    (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, the 
term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
        Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
        House of Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
        Foreign Relations, the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources, and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.

SEC. 5. UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

    In order to improve the capacity of Indigenous peoples to engage in 
and benefit from increased trade and investment relationships, the 
Inter-American Foundation, Secretary of State, United States Agency for 
International Development, and Millennium Challenge Corporation shall--
            (1) consult with representatives of civil society 
        organizations, especially organizations comprised of or 
        representing the interests of Indigenous peoples; and
            (2) provide assistance to countries in the Western 
        Hemisphere in a manner that promotes and facilitates 
        entrepreneurship among Indigenous peoples--
                    (A) by strengthening the capacity of civil society 
                organizations and local governments; and
                    (B) by supporting community-led and community-based 
                projects including sustainable natural resource 
                management, agricultural development, and handicraft 
                production.

SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce 
$3,000,000 to carry out this Act.
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