---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 2902"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "2902"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/2902"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Native American Languages"
---

# §2902. Definitions


For purposes of this chapter—

- (1) The term “Native American” means an [Indian](#2), [Native Hawaiian](#3), or [Native American Pacific Islander](#4).
- (2) The term “Indian” has the meaning given to such term under [section 7491(3) of title 20](/usc/20/7491.md?p=3).
- (3) The term “Native Hawaiian” has the meaning given to such term by [section 7517 of title 20](/usc/20/7517.md).
- (4) The term “Native American Pacific Islander” means any descendent of the aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is a territory or possession of the United States.
- (5) The terms “Indian tribe” and “tribal organization” have the respective meaning given to each of such terms under [section 5304 of this title](/usc/25/5304.md).
- (6) The term “Native American language” means the historical, traditional languages spoken by [Native Americans](#1).
- (7) The term “traditional leaders” includes [Native Americans](#1) who have special expertise in [Native American](#1) culture and [Native American languages](#6).
- (8) The term “Indian reservation” has the same meaning given to the term “reservation” under [section 1452 of this title](/usc/25/1452.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–477, title I, § 103, Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1154; Pub. L. 104–109, § 11, Feb. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 107–110, title VII, § 702(f), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1947; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(iii), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2187.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Par. (2). Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(iii)(1), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7491(3) of title 20.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(iii)(2), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7517 of title 20.

2002—Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–110, § 702(f)(1), substituted “section 7491(3) of title 20” for “section 7881(4) of title 20”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 107–110, § 702(f)(2), substituted “section 7517 of title 20” for “section 7912(1) of title 20”.

1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–109, § 11(1), substituted “section 7881(4) of title 20” for “section 2651(4) of this title”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–109, § 11(2), substituted “section 7912(1) of title 20” for “section 4909 of title 20”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.

### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–110 effective Jan. 8, 2002, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.