{"id":395435,"date":"2026-01-28T10:15:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T16:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=395435"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:59:28","slug":"senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-hosts-hearing-on-native-childrens-commission-implementation-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/01\/28\/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-hosts-hearing-on-native-childrens-commission-implementation-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts hearing on Native Children\u2019s Commission Implementation Act"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Senate<\/a>
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), third from left, poses with members of the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission\u2019s Report on Native Children at a roundtable in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2024. Photo: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts hearing on Native Children\u2019s Commission Implementation Act<\/div>\r\n
Wednesday, January 28, 2026<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Senate Committee on Indian Affairs<\/a> is getting back to work in the new year by focusing on justice and safety for Native children.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe committee meets on Wednesday afternoon to discuss draft legislation for the Native Children\u2019s Commission Implementation Act<\/a>. The proposed bill — which has not yet been introduced in the 119th Congress — seeks to implement law and policy changes that would benefit American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian youth.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe changes were recommended by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. The bipartisan panel studied the ways in which to protect Native youth and their families, issuing a report called The Way Forward in February 2024<\/a>. [PDF: The Way Forward: Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children<\/a>]\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cThis discussion draft is an important step in turning the recommendations of the Commission on Native Children into action to support our Native children, youth, and families,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said when she unveiled the draft discussion bill last August<\/a>.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n“I\u2019m proud to put forward a draft legislative package with the opportunity for further collaboration with stakeholders,” said Murkowski, who hosted a roundtable about the proposed bill in Alaska on August 14, 2025<\/a>. “I look forward to hearing from Tribal leaders, advocates, and non-profits supporting Native families as we work to improve policies that directly impact their communities.”\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe committee’s hearing on Wednesday focuses on Title II of the draft Native Children\u2019s Commission Implementation Act. The section, titled “Justice for Children, Youth, and Families,” would create the Tribal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, require a study of cases of missing Native children, establish the Alaska Native Victim Services Fund, authorize programs and grants for Native youth and families and codify the existing Tiwahe Program for Native families.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe hearing takes place at 2:30pm Eastern in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. The witness list follows:\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe Honorable Lonna Jackson-Street [PDF: Testimony<\/a>]
\r\nChairwoman
\r\nSpirit Lake Tribal Council
\r\nFort Totten, North Dakota\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe Honorable Joan Johnson [PDF: Testimony<\/a>]
\r\nCouncil Member representing Gros Ventre At Large
\r\nFort Belknap Indian Community
\r\nHarlem, Montana\r\n

<\/P>\r\nMs. Anita Fineday [PDF: Testimony<\/a>]
\r\nFormer Commissioner
\r\nNative Children\u2019s Commission
\r\nBrainerd, Minnesota\r\n

<\/P>\r\nMs. Lori Jump [PDF: Testimony<\/a>]
\r\nExecutive Director
\r\nStrongHearts Native Helpline
\r\nSault Ste. Marie, Michigan\r\n

<\/P>\r\nMr. Mark Patterson [PDF: Testimony<\/a>]
\r\nChair, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission
\r\nFormer Administrator, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility\/ Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center
\r\nHonolulu, Hawaii\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe hearing will be webcast at indian.senate.gov<\/a>. The feed goes live shortly before the start of the hearing.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice<\/div>\r\nLegislative Hearing titled \u201cJustice and Safety for Native Children: Examining Title II of the Draft Native Children\u2019s Commission Implementation Act\u201d<\/a> (January 28, 2026)\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Video<\/div>\r\n
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