1.1    .................... moves to amend H. F. No. 779, the second engrossment, as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3    "Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
1.4    The status of the cultures and languages of American Indians is unique and part of
1.5the rich heritage of the state. The state shall collaborate with American Indians to ensure
1.6the survival of these unique cultures and languages. The legislature further recognizes
1.7American Indian culture and language as a vital state treasure and resource. In order to
1.8maximize the potential of American Indian language resources, the legislature recognizes
1.9the need to encourage indigenous language development and continuation, especially
1.10among children.
1.11    The legislature recognizes that one-third of indigenous tongues have disappeared
1.12since the coming of Columbus. Of those that survive, nine out of ten are no longer spoken
1.13by children. If this erosion continues, virtually all American Indian languages could be
1.14extinct within two or three generations. Along with this erosion goes part of the history of
1.15our state. There are many benefits to preserving indigenous languages. These include:
1.16cognitive and academic growth among students; help with identity conflicts; preservation
1.17of family values; increased cultural vitality; preserving unique traditional tribal ecological
1.18knowledge; preserving Minnesota's indigenous native history; and increased student
1.19self-esteem and self-sufficiency. These benefits reflect in greater community involvement
1.20in tribal communities and for the state. Children who are schooled in their native language
1.21will demonstrate greater creativity and participation in the community and the state as
1.22a whole.

1.23    Sec. 2. [3.9228] COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.
1.24    Subdivision 1. Creation; membership; executive director. (a) The Council on
1.25Indigenous Language is created and membership shall consist of fourteen American
1.26Indian members appointed by the Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance.
2.1    (b) The council shall annually elect a chair and executive secretary and other officers
2.2it deems necessary. The chair may appoint subcommittees necessary to fulfill the duties
2.3of the council. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the
2.4council is not subject to the expiration date in section 15.059.
2.5    (c) The council shall select an executive director to manage the operations of
2.6the council. The executive director of the Council on Indigenous Language may hire
2.7staff necessary to carry out the functions of the council. The executive director must be
2.8experienced in administrative activities and familiar with language revitalization. The
2.9executive director and office staff shall serve in the unclassified service of the state.
2.10    (d) Members of the council may receive per diem and expense payments as provided
2.11in section 15.059.
2.12    Subd. 2. Duties. (a) The council shall develop specific guidelines for funding
2.13community and educational programs that provide language revitalization to meet the
2.14needs of the community. In order to develop these guidelines, the council shall collaborate
2.15with American Indian community groups to develop the resources needed to provide
2.16native language classes.
2.17    (b) The council shall promote activities and programs that are specific to promoting
2.18revitalization of indigenous language for American Indian children and adults. Since
2.19language revitalization is critical for the youngest of American Indian children, the
2.20council shall focus on developing programs that meet the language needs of children in
2.21prekindergarten through grade 12. In addition, the Council on Indigenous Language shall
2.22work with community groups and educational groups and institutions to identify programs
2.23that will promote the preservation and revitalization of indigenous language in order for
2.24children to learn the speaking, reading, and writing of native language.
2.25    (c) The council shall administer grants to organizations, programs, and schools
2.26that meet the guidelines developed by the council for programs that provide language
2.27revitalization to children and adults.
2.28(d) The council shall establish grant criteria and funding priorities to fulfill its
2.29purpose.
2.30    (e) The council shall respect tribal governments' sovereign authority over language
2.31revitalization on tribal reservations and shall work to support those efforts in native
2.32American Indian communities in urban areas.
2.33    (f) The council shall explore funding opportunities with the United States
2.34Department of Education and other federal agencies to meet the special needs of students
2.35for native language learning.
3.1    (g) The council shall work to remove barriers to enable language revitalization
3.2efforts to be successful.
3.3    (h) The council shall work collaboratively to enable native speakers to teach in all
3.4language revitalization programs and schools and to develop standards on curriculum,
3.5critical pedagogy, and scope and sequence as it pertains to indigenous language learning,
3.6consistent with world language standards under section 120B.022.
3.7    (i) The council may contract in its own name including contracting for office space
3.8and equipment. Contracts, including grant contracts, must be approved and executed by
3.9the executive director of the council. The council may apply for, receive, and expend in its
3.10own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the duties specified in this section.
3.11Grants and gifts of money received are appropriated to the council for its purpose.
3.12    Subd. 3. Report required. The council shall report to the legislature by January 15
3.13of each year regarding the use of indigenous languages within the state and the status of
3.14programs and efforts to preserve and promote them.
3.15    Subd. 4. Meetings. Meetings may be called by the chair or at the written request of
3.16five members of the council. A majority of the voting members of the council is a quorum.
3.17    Subd. 5. State agency assistance. Upon request, other state agencies shall supply
3.18the council with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
3.19council. The council shall have the right to call upon various state departments for
3.20technical advice and services as needed to fulfill its purpose.
3.21    Subd. 6. Appropriations and money received for the Council on Indigenous
3.22Language. All money and appropriations received for the Council on Indigenous
3.23Language must be used to further the purpose of language revitalization. Money and
3.24appropriations received for language revitalization shall not be transferred or reallocated
3.25for any other purpose.

3.26    Sec. 3. INITIAL MEETING.
3.27    The initial meeting of the Council on Indigenous Language shall be convened by a
3.28facilitator designated by the Minnesota Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance.
3.29The facilitator shall chair the first meeting and subsequent meetings until the council
3.30elects a chair.

3.31    Sec. 4. APPROPRIATIONS; COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.
3.32    (a) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
3.33the general fund to the Council on Indigenous Language.
3.34    (b) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
3.35the general fund to the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for grants to
4.1the Council on Indigenous Language for training teachers of indigenous American Indian
4.2language. This appropriation must be included in the base budget for the office.
4.3    (c) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from
4.4the general fund to the commissioner of human services for grants to the Council on
4.5Indigenous Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must
4.6be included in the agency's base budget.
4.7    (d) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the
4.8general fund to the commissioner of education for grants to the Council on Indigenous
4.9Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must be included
4.10in the agency's base budget."
4.11Delete the title and insert:
4.13relating to American Indian languages; establishing the Council on Indigenous
4.14Language; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
4.15Statutes, chapter 3."