[1] In addition, to "fully recognize the right of Indian Tribes and other Native American governing bodies, States, territories, and possessions of the United States to take action on, and give official status to their Native American languages for the purpose of conducting their own business".

The children were required to learn English and practice Christianity, being forced at the schools to leave their native cultures.

Many emotional and psychological issues today found in Indian communities have their foundations within the traumatic experiences of the children educated in such schools.

The Dawes Allotment Act (1887) was intended to achieve assimilation in another way, by breaking up communal lands and tribal government on reservations.

The 160-acre plots were generally too small for successful farming on the Great Plains because of geographic and climate conditions.

During early colonization non-Indian explorers married Indian women in Alta California and New Spain in order to be granted land by the Crown.

[citation needed] Though this act was aimed towards immigrant students, Native Americans took the opportunity to apply for funding to initiate projects for their own bilingual studies addressing their own language.

In the wake of the Self-Determination Era, tribes and U.S. territorial communities were coming together to re-establish their cultures and language.

803C; (3) improve the capability of the governing body of the Indian tribe to regulate environmental quality authorized by Sec.

[citation needed] The following year Inouye introduced a revised version (S. 1781) with nine sponsors, but the Bush administration opposed it because of the funding costs.

In spite of testimony and support of tribal representatives, linguists, language groups and national organizations, Dominic Mastraquapa opposed the bill by saying that funding was adequate.

[5] Congress found convincing evidence that student achievement and performance, community and school pride, and educational opportunity are clearly and directly tied to respect for, and support of, the first language of the child.

[7] The Native American Language Act of 1990 has been a counterbalance to the English only movement and has been the catalyst for bilingual education on the reservations.

"The Native American Languages Act of 1990 is the American Indian's answer to the English-only movement, and the Act's bilingual/multicultural educational approach is supported by the dismal historical record of assimilationist approaches to Indian education in the United States"Jon Reyhner.

[14] Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, introduced the Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014 on May 5, 2014.