Apology to Native Peoples of the United States

From Text of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 H.R. 3326 (111th Cong., 9 Dec 2009).

This bill was enacted after being signed by the President on December 19, 2009. The text of the bill below is as of Aug 24, 2010 (Passed Congress/Enrolled Bill).

Apology to Native Peoples of the United States

Sec. 8113.

(a)Acknowledgment and apology

The United States, acting through Congress—

(1)recognizes the special legal and political relationship Indian tribes have with the United States and the solemn covenant with the land we share;

(2)commends and honors Native Peoples for the thousands of years that they have stewarded and protected this land;

(3)recognizes that there have been years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants by the Federal Government regarding Indian tribes;

(4)apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by citizens of the United States;

(5)expresses its regret for the ramifications of former wrongs and its commitment to build on the positive relationships of the past and present to move toward a brighter future where all the people of this land live reconciled as brothers and sisters, and harmoniously steward and protect this land together;

(6)urges the President to acknowledge the wrongs of the United States against Indian tribes in the history of the United States in order to bring healing to this land; and

(7)commends the State governments that have begun reconciliation efforts with recognized Indian tribes located in their boundaries and encourages all State governments similarly to work toward reconciling relationships with Indian tribes within their boundaries.

(b)Disclaimer

Nothing in this section—

(1)authorizes or supports any claim against the United States; or

(2)serves as a settlement of any claim against the United States.