---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 2903"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "2903"
heading: "Declaration of policy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/2903"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Native American Languages"
---

# §2903. Declaration of policy


It is the policy of the United States to—

- (1) preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of [Native Americans](/usc/25/2902.md?p=1) to use, practice, and develop [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6);
- (2) allow exceptions to teacher certification requirements for Federal programs, and programs funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government, for instruction in [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) when such teacher certification requirements hinder the employment of qualified teachers who teach in [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6), and to encourage State and territorial governments to make similar exceptions;
- (3) encourage and support the use of [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) as a medium of instruction in order to encourage and support—
  - (A) [Native American language](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) survival,
  - (B) educational opportunity,
  - (C) increased student success and performance,
  - (D) increased student awareness and knowledge of their culture and history, and
  - (E) increased student and community pride;
- (4) encourage State and local education programs to work with [Native American](/usc/25/2902.md?p=1) parents, educators, [Indian tribes](/usc/25/2902.md?p=5), and other [Native American](/usc/25/2902.md?p=1) governing bodies in the implementation of programs to put this policy into effect;
- (5) recognize the right of [Indian tribes](/usc/25/2902.md?p=5) and other [Native American](/usc/25/2902.md?p=1) governing bodies to use the [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) as a medium of instruction in all schools funded by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior;
- (6) fully recognize the inherent right of [Indian tribes](/usc/25/2902.md?p=5) and other [Native American](/usc/25/2902.md?p=1) governing bodies, States, territories, and possessions of the United States to take action on, and give official status to, their [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) for the purpose of conducting their own business;
- (7) support the granting of comparable proficiency achieved through course work in a [Native American language](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) the same academic credit as comparable proficiency achieved through course work in a foreign language, with recognition of such [Native American language](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) proficiency by institutions of higher education as fulfilling foreign language entrance or degree requirements; and
- (8) encourage all institutions of elementary, secondary and higher education, where appropriate, to include [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) in the curriculum in the same manner as foreign languages and to grant proficiency in [Native American languages](/usc/25/2902.md?p=6) the same full academic credit as proficiency in foreign languages.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–477, title I, § 104, Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1155.)