Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced a bill to create a national commission that will study issues affecting American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian youth.

The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children would consist of 11 members. After a three-year study, they would make recommendation on how to improve programs and grants to help Native youth across the country.

"The federal government pledged long ago to protect Native families and children. We haven’t lived up to that promise. But we can change that," Heitkamp said in a press release.

"We must ensure our federal government upholds the trust responsibility and this Commission will examine from the lens of justice, education, and healthcare how to improve the lives of our Nation’s native children. We can and must do better for our Native youth," Murkowski added in a press release.

The bill is S.1622. It was referred to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Heitkamp and Murkowski sit on the committee.

Get the Story:
Heitkamp’s first Senate bill proposes Commission on Native Children (The Fargo Forum 10/31)
Heitkamp introduces first bill to US Senate, argues for reservation assistance (WDAY 10/30)
Murkowski introduces bill aimed to protect Native American children (AP 10/30)