#Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Bill improves on the NATIVE Act, which was signed into law in 2016
The original law enhances and integrates Native tourism, empowers Native communities, and expands unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States. The bill passed by the US Senate in December, makes key updates to the existing law that will help improve the program and make it easier for Native communities to access federal resources.
Senators introduce bill to expand federal arts funding for Native Hawaiian organizations
Hawaiʻi US Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Alaska US Senator Lisa Murkowski have introduced legislation intended to increase access to federal grants for native arts and culture. The bipartisan Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act aims to amend the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program. The proposed legislation would […]
Schatz marks Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Week with call for action
US Sen. Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to highlight Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Week.
Hawai‘i congressional delegation introduces resolution celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation of US Sens. Brian Schatzand Mazie Hirono and Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda introduced today a resolution celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.
Schatz, Democrats secured $45 billion for Native communities over four years
During his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs from 2021-2025, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led the passage of 26 Tribal-specific bills and helped secure over $45 billion. The funds are being used to make investments in health care, housing, education, languages, infrastructure, and public safety – to benefit Native communities.
Schatz wants bill to investigate historical injustices of federal Indian Boarding School policies
US Sen. Brian Schatz released a statement today, building on President Joe Biden’s formal apology for the federal government’s former Indian Boarding School policies, which he delivered in a speech on Friday.
Schatz, Cole secure record $1.3B for Native housing
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and US Rep. Tom Cole (R-La.) – chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing, respectively – secured more than $1.34 billion in funding for Native housing programs as part of a six-bill Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package that was passed by Congress and signed into law last week. The funding is a record increase of $324 million dollars from last year.
Schatz: Billions in federal funding released in first half of bipartisan appropriations bill
Hawai‘i US Sen. Brian Schatz reported Monday that congressional leaders have released billions of dollars in federal funding for critical needs in Hawai‘i.
Congress to consider resolution for February as Hawaiian Language Month
Hawaiʻi’s Democratic congressional delegation has introduced a resolution celebrating Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.
Oversight hearing on federal resources to address Fentanyl in Native Communities
“Drug traffickers are targeting Native communities because so many of these communities are more rural, isolated, with less law enforcement presence, and traffickers can charge more for their products,” said Vice Chairman Murkowski. “Congress must provide better support for federal agencies, law enforcement at all levels, and Native communities to end this crisis.”
Seven Native Hawaiian organizations to receive $1 million in federal funding
The US Department of the Interior is providing $1 million in federal funding to seven Native Hawaiian organizations working to preserve and share Native Hawaiian culture and traditions with visitors.
Sen. Schatz leads field hearing on federal resources for the Native Hawaiian community
US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a field hearing on Wednesday to discuss federal resources for the Native Hawaiian community.
Schatz Urges Infrastructure Deployment in Native Communities
US Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawai‘i, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a roundtable discussion, “Concrete Solutions: Building a Successful Foundation for Native Communities’ Infrastructure Development,” to hear from Tribal, Native Hawaiian and administration witnesses on improving deployment of infrastructure in Native communities.
Sen. Schatz Introduces Bill To Continue Funding Native Hawaiian Housing Program
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization that is bipartisan legislation building upon successful Native American housing programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
COVID Relief Law Delivers $5 Million To DHHL For Native Hawaiian Housing Assistance
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will receive $5,000,000 in new federal funding to help provide affordable housing options for Native Hawaiians living on and off the Home Lands during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OHA Board Chair, Lindsey of Maui Testifies Before US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey of Maui testified this morning at the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs chaired by US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), urging senators to help address the needs of Native Hawaiians.
US Sen. Schatz Named To Serve on Foreign Relations Committee
The US Senate Democratic leadership today announced the selection of Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
AKAKA BILL HEARING SET FOR AUGUST 6
The Akaka Bill is scheduled for a committee hearing next week. The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hear the bill otherwise referred to as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act on Thursday, August 6, 2009. The bill’s namesake, U.S.Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) said, “With the 50th anniversary of statehood less than a […]
