Brief Description: Requiring tribal history and culture curriculum.

Sponsors: Representatives McCoy, Rockefeller, Conway, McDermott, Sullivan, Ormsby, Fromhold, Hunt, Lovick, Cooper, Haigh, Anderson, Kenney, Santos, Darneille, Chase, Moeller and Lantz.

Hearing Date: 1/26/04

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

Washington has a rich Native American heritage that dates back thousands of years. There currently are 29 federally-recognized Indian tribes whose reservations are located in Washington. Many Northwest Indians still observe the traditions of their ancient ancestors.

Washington's high school graduation requirements include a minimum of one-half credit of course work in Washington history and government. Courses designed to meet this requirement are encouraged to include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indians who were the first inhabitants of Washington.

Summary of Bill:

Each school district must incorporate the history and culture of one or more federally-recognized Indian tribes into its history and social studies curriculum for each grade level. A school district that has all or a portion of a tribal reservation within its boundaries, must teach the history and culture of that tribe. A school district that has no portion of a tribal reservation within its boundaries, must teach the history and culture of the federally-recognized Indian tribes whose traditional lands and territories lie within a one hundred-mile radius of the district.

The history and culture taught, must be tribally-developed, and school districts are required to collaborate with the tribes to develop and implement the required curricula. The Superintendent of Public Instruction must assist school districts in determining the location of tribal reservations and traditional lands and territories.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/26/04.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.