U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has released a draft legislative package intended to improve the lives of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. The proposed legislation is based on recommendations from "The Way Forward," a report issued in February 2024 by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children.
The commission was established through bipartisan legislation co-led by Senator Murkowski and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp. It conducted hearings and site visits to gather information about the challenges facing Native children and families. The resulting report provided guidance for service delivery, data collection, and culturally relevant programming aimed at supporting these communities.
“This 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. I’m proud to put forward a draft legislative package with the opportunity for further collaboration with stakeholders. 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,” said Senator Murkowski.
The draft bill covers topics such as child welfare, justice issues, health care (including physical, behavioral, and environmental health), housing needs including homelessness prevention, education access, child care services, and efforts to expand research capabilities.
Senator Murkowski is seeking public input on the discussion draft until September 12, 2025. Comments can be submitted via email at Murkowski_Outreach@Indian.Senate.Gov.
Senator Murkowski’s involvement in this issue began after young people from Tanana, Alaska spoke at the 2013 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention about violence and substance abuse in their community. This testimony led her and Senator Heitkamp to introduce legislation creating a commission focused on studying federal, Tribal, state, and local programs serving Native children. The commission was named after Dr. Walter Soboleff—a Tlingit elder known for his advocacy of cultural education—and Alyce Spotted Bear—former Chairwoman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.
The commission’s findings have informed policy discussions since its creation in 2016 with "The Way Forward" report providing specific recommendations for improving opportunities for Native children.
A summary of the proposed legislation is available online. The full text of the discussion draft can also be accessed online.
