INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION

An Act relating to the recognition of Indigenous cultures in public education.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: SENATORS TOBIN, Gray-Jackson, Dunbar
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: (S) CRA
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Education Act

This act encourages schools in Alaska to teach about the unique cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples, especially those living in or near the state.

What This Bill Does

Encourages all residents of Alaska to learn about the distinct cultural heritages of Indigenous peoples.
Requires local educational institutions to work with nearby tribes when teaching about Indigenous cultures.
Asks school staff to understand and appreciate Indigenous communities, including through training provided by local tribal entities.

Who It Names or Affects

Public schools in Alaska
School personnel in Alaska
Alaska residents

Terms To Know

Indigenous cultures: The unique cultural heritages of Alaska Natives and American Indians.
Local educational institution: A school or district in Alaska that provides public education.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how the act will be enforced or what specific penalties there might be for non-compliance.
The bill does not specify who will fund the training and resources needed to implement these changes.

Bill History

2026-04-16 Text
(S) Heard & Held
2026-04-16 Text
(S) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2026-03-05 1849
(S) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
2026-03-05 1849
(S) CRA REFERRAL ADDED AFTER EDC
2026-03-05 1849
(S) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED
2026-03-05 1845
(S) FN1: ZERO(EED)
2026-03-05 1845
(S) NR: YUNDT, KIEHL, STEVENS, BJORKMAN
2026-03-05 1845
(S) DP: TOBIN
2026-03-05 1845
(S) EDC RPT 1DP 4NR
2026-03-04 Text
(S) Moved SB 210 Out of Committee
2026-03-04 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2026-02-16 Text
(S) Heard & Held
2026-02-16 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2026-02-06 Text
(S) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
2026-02-06 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2026-01-21 1490
(S) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON, DUNBAR
2026-01-21 1481
(S) EDC, FIN
2026-01-21 1481
(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
2026-01-16 1481
(S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/16/26

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored 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