Recognizing that the land that is now known as the United States of America was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples known as Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

Bill: 116-hres-1264
Sponsor: full_name: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2020-12-15
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians

Congressional tributes

Indian lands and resources rights

Indian social and development programs

Racial and ethnic relations

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-12-15
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution honors the legacy of Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land before the establishment of the United States. It also calls on state and local governments to encourage formal land acknowledgements before public or ceremonial events.</p>

tv_txt: IV 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1264 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 15, 2020 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Recognizing that the land that is now known as the United States of America was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples known as Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

Whereas a land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as the original and traditional stewards of a given geographic area and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands; Whereas a formal statement of a land acknowledgment is a proper method to recognize the traditions of Indigenous peoples and ancestral land; Whereas a land acknowledgment is a practice that honors and respects contemporary Indigenous peoples’ connection to their ancestral lands; Whereas a land acknowledgment is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to Tribes who first resided in this country; Whereas a land acknowledgment serves as a reminder and a reflection on the impacts of colonialism, past and present; Whereas a land acknowledgment recognizes Indigenous peoples’ voices that have been devalued in past contexts; Whereas a land acknowledgment is a way to show both gratitude and appreciation for those who were first on the land and encourages a broadening of awareness of Indigenous peoples; and Whereas it is encouraged that formal land acknowledgments be performed at introductions of public and ceremonial events: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) honors the legacy of Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land before the establishment of the United States of America and continue to live in relationship with their ancestral homelands today, and recognizes their significance and ongoing contributions to the United States; and (2) calls on State and local governments to encourage formal land acknowledgments, whether verbal or written, before public or ceremonial events.