§ 450a. — Congressional declaration of policy.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC450a]
TITLE 25--INDIANS
CHAPTER 14--MISCELLANEOUS
SUBCHAPTER II--INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
Sec. 450a. Congressional declaration of policy
(a) Recognition of obligation of United States
The Congress hereby recognizes the obligation of the United States
to respond to the strong expression of the Indian people for self-
determination by assuring maximum Indian participation in the direction
of educational as well as other Federal services to Indian communities
so as to render such services more responsive to the needs and desires
of those communities.
(b) Declaration of commitment
The Congress declares its commitment to the maintenance of the
Federal Government's unique and continuing relationship with, and
responsibility to, individual Indian tribes and to the Indian people as
a whole through the establishment of a meaningful Indian self-
determination policy which will permit an orderly transition from the
Federal domination of programs for, and services to, Indians to
effective and meaningful participation by the Indian people in the
planning, conduct, and administration of those programs and services. In
accordance with this policy, the United States is committed to
supporting and assisting Indian tribes in the development of strong and
stable tribal governments, capable of administering quality programs and
developing the economies of their respective communities.
(c) Declaration of national goal
The Congress declares that a major national goal of the United
States is to provide the quantity and quality of educational services
and opportunities which will permit Indian children to compete and excel
in the life areas of their choice, and to achieve the measure of self-
determination essential to their social and economic well-being.
(Pub. L. 93-638, Sec. 3, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 100-472,
title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 5, 1988, 102 Stat. 2285.)
Amendments
1988--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-472 added subsec. (b) and struck out
former subsec. (b) which read as follows: ``The Congress declares its
commitment to the maintenance of the Federal Government's unique and
continuing relationship with and responsibility to the Indian people
through the establishment of a meaningful Indian self-determination
policy which will permit an orderly transition from Federal domination
of programs for and services to Indians to effective and meaningful
participation by the Indian people in the planning, conduct, and
administration of those programs and services.''
