INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION

Plain English Breakdown

The bill establishes policy and requirements but does not specify an effective date or funding mechanisms within this excerpt.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Education

This bill sets state policy to encourage learning about Indigenous cultures, require schools to work with tribes on curriculum, and ensure school staff understand Alaska Native and American Indian communities.

What This Bill Does

• States that all residents should be encouraged to learn about the unique cultural heritages of Alaska Natives and American Indians in a culturally responsive way.
• Requires local educational institutions to work cooperatively with tribes when creating instruction, goals, or rules related to education.
• Directs schools to include information on the cultural heritages and current contributions of Indigenous groups, focusing particularly on those within the state.
• Mandates that all school personnel gain an understanding of Alaska Native and American Indian tribes to relate effectively with students and parents.
• Requires local educational institutions to consult and contract with tribal entities to provide training for school staff.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local educational institutions in the state
• School personnel including teachers and administrators
• Alaska Native and American Indian tribes within or near the state
• State residents who are students

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill text does not specify a date when these rules must begin.
• The source material does not list specific funding amounts for training or curriculum changes.

Official Summary Text

INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION
An Act relating to the recognition of Indigenous cultures in public education.

Current Bill Text

SB0210A -1- SB 210
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS1190\A

SENATE BILL NO. 210

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY SENATORS TOBIN, Gray-Jackson, Dunbar

Introduced: 1/21/26
Referred: Education, Community and Regional Affairs

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the recognition of Indigenous cultures in public education." 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 2
* Section 1. AS 14.03.015 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 3
(b) It is the policy of the state that 4
(1) every state resident be encouraged to learn about the distinct and 5
unique cultural heritages of Alaska Natives and American Indians in a culturally 6
responsive manner; 7
(2) when providing instruction, implementing an educational goal, or 8
adopting a rule related to the education of state residents, a local educational 9
institution work cooperatively with tribes in the state or tribes in close proximity to the 10
state to include information specific to the cultural heritages and contemporary 11
contributions of Alaska Natives and American Indians, with particular emphasis on 12
Alaska Native and American Indian tribal groups and governments in the state; and 13
(3) all school personnel have an understanding and awareness of 14
Alaska Native and American Indian tribes to help personnel relate effectively with 15
34-LS1190\A
SB 210 -2- SB0210A
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

Alaska Native and American Indian students and parents; every local educational 1
institution shall consult and contract with local tribal entities to provide the means by 2
which school personnel will gain an understanding of and appreciation for Alaska 3
Native and American Indian people. 4