H.R. 2412

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2412 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2412

To establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2025

Mr. Case (for himself and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) There are an estimated 476,000,000 Indigenous Peoples 
worldwide who share a common heritage of collective ancestral 
ties to the lands and natural resources where they and their 
ancestors live or have lived together with their own unique 
cultures, languages and traditions.
(2) The Indigenous Peoples of the world also share a common 
challenge and goal of preserving and protecting their ancestral 
lands and natural resources and unique cultures, languages and 
traditions.
(3) The status, rights, challenges and goals of Indigenous 
Peoples worldwide have been recognized by various international 
organizations, including by the United Nations in its September 
13, 2007, Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
(4) The United States should expand its direct engagement 
with Indigenous Peoples worldwide in order to better assist 
Indigenous Peoples to achieve their goals and focus on common 
challenges and opportunities.

SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING DIPLOMACY 
AND ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

(a) Development and Implementation of Strategy.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the President, acting through the Coordinator for 
Indigenous Affairs appointed pursuant to section 4(b), shall--
(1) develop and implement a comprehensive, 5-year 
international strategy for promoting diplomacy and engagements 
with international Indigenous peoples; and
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees such 
strategy.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements:
(1) An identification, for purposes of the strategy, of at 
least 10 and not more than 20 countries that--
(A) are geographically, ethnically, and culturally 
diverse; and
(B) have significant populations of Indigenous 
peoples.
(2) An assessment of the following with respect to each 
country identified pursuant to paragraph (1):
(A) The nature and extent of United States 
diplomacy and engagement with international Indigenous 
peoples in the country.
(B) The efforts of the government of the country to 
promote and facilitate people-to-people engagements 
involving international Indigenous peoples and domestic 
Indigenous peoples.
(C) Opportunities for the United States to 
establish or enhance diplomacy and engagement with 
international Indigenous peoples in the country and how 
such establishment or enhancement would support the 
broader foreign policy goals of the United States.
(D) Metrics by which to evaluate the overall 
progress of United States efforts to promote and 
facilitate diplomacy and engagements with international 
Indigenous peoples in the country.
(3) A plan (developed taking into consideration the results 
of the assessment under paragraph (2)), including an outline of 
specific programs, activities, or other efforts that may be 
conducted, to--
(A) promote and facilitate, in cooperation with the 
government of each country identified pursuant to 
paragraph (1), activities that enhance diplomacy and 
engagement with the Indigenous peoples of that country; 
and
(B) coordinate regarding such promotion and 
facilitation with existing programs and initiatives 
involving Indigenous peoples, including coordination 
with the heads of nongovernmental organizations, civil 
society, and Indigenous groups.
(4) An identification of the general levels of resources 
necessary on an annual basis to implement the plan under 
paragraph (3) in each country identified pursuant to paragraph 
(1), taking into account activities and funding provided by the 
country and multilateral institutions and leveraging private 
sector resources.
(5) An identification of the relevant Federal departments 
and agencies conducting the programs, activities, and other 
efforts described with respect to the plan required by 
paragraph (3).
(6) For each such Federal department or agency, an 
assessment of the anticipated contributions of that department 
or agency (including technical, financial, and in-kind 
contributions) to implement such plan.
(c) Collaboration.--In developing the strategy under subsection 
(a), the President, acting through the Coordinator, shall consult 
with--
(1) the Secretary of State;
(2) the Secretary of the Interior;
(3) the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development;
(4) the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge 
Corporation;
(5) the Chief Executive Officer of the Development Finance 
Corporation;
(6) the Advisory Commission on Indigenous Peoples 
established under section 6; and
(7) nongovernmental organizations that demonstrate 
sufficient background, knowledge, and expertise--
(A) working on the issues of Indigenous rights or 
resources; or
(B) engaging with international Indigenous peoples.
(d) Sustainability and Impact Considerations.--In implementing the 
strategy under subsection (a) and the plan required by subsection 
(b)(3), the President shall ensure that the policies and initiatives 
carried out pursuant to such strategy are designed to achieve maximum 
impact and long-term sustainability.

SEC. 4. OFFICE FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS.

(a) Establishment.--There is established an Office for Indigenous 
Affairs (in this section referred to as the ``Office'') for the purpose 
of coordinating all efforts of the Federal Government regarding 
diplomacy and engagements with international Indigenous peoples.
(b) Coordinator.--The Office shall be headed by the Coordinator for 
Indigenous Affairs (in this section referred to as the 
``Coordinator''), who shall--
(1) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate;
(2) report directly to the Secretary of State; and
(3) have the rank and status of Ambassador at Large.
(c) Duties.--The Coordinator shall have the following 
responsibilities:
(1) To design, oversee, and coordinate activities and 
programs of the Federal Government relating to diplomacy and 
engagement with international Indigenous peoples.
(2) To direct United States resources to--
(A) increase and enhance diplomatic exchange and 
engagements with international Indigenous peoples; and
(B) assist in the development of the comprehensive 
international strategy under section 3 to promote 
diplomacy and engagements with international Indigenous 
peoples and domestic Indigenous peoples.
(3) To coordinate all policies, programs, and funding 
relating to diplomacy and engagements with international 
Indigenous peoples of relevant United States Government 
agencies, including--
(A) the Department of State;
(B) the United States Agency for International 
Development;
(C) the Department of the Interior;
(D) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; and
(E) the Development Finance Corporation.
(4) To design, integrate, and, as appropriate, implement 
policies, programs, and activities related to Indigenous 
health, education, economic development, international 
Indigenous human rights, and protection of international 
Indigenous peoples in humanitarian crises.
(5) To encourage the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development to establish department- or agency-specific (as the 
case may be) programmatic guidelines regarding diplomacy and 
engagements between international Indigenous peoples and 
domestic Indigenous peoples and to monitor the implementation 
of those guidelines.
(d) Principal Advisor.--In addition to the duties under subsection 
(c), the Coordinator shall serve as the principal advisor to the 
Secretary of State regarding matters relating to international 
Indigenous peoples.
(e) Diplomatic Representation.--Subject to the direction of the 
President and the Secretary of State, the Coordinator may represent the 
United States in matters relevant to diplomacy and engagements with 
international Indigenous peoples in--
(1) contacts with Tribal representatives in other 
countries, foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, 
the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and other 
international organizations of which the United States is a 
member; and
(2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to 
diplomacy and engagements with international Indigenous 
peoples.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Coordinator such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out the duties and responsibilities of the Office for Indigenous 
Affairs as established by this section. Amount appropriated pursuant to 
this authorization are authorized to remain available until expended 
and shall supplement, not supplant, amounts otherwise authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the purposes described in this section.

SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY AND 
ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after date of the submission 
of the comprehensive international strategy developed under section 3, 
and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary of State, acting through 
the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs appointed pursuant to section 
4(b), shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
to be titled the ``Report on International Indigenous Diplomacy and 
Engagement''.
(b) Matters.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the 
following:
(1) The goals and objectives of the comprehensive 
international strategy developed under section 3.
(2) The assessment of the Coordinator of the effectiveness 
to date of the strategy, including the specific criteria used 
in such assessment.
(3) A description of the coordination of all Federal 
Government resources and international activities to engage 
with and support international Indigenous peoples that 
includes--
(A) an identification of the Federal departments or 
agencies involved;
(B) a description of the coordination between the 
heads of such Federal departments and agencies; and
(C) a description of the coordination with non-
Federal Government entities, including foreign 
governments, multilateral organizations and 
institutions, and nongovernmental organizations.
(4) A description of the relationship between--
(A) efforts to support international Indigenous 
peoples;
(B) other United States assistance strategies in 
developing countries; and
(C) diplomatic relationships with such countries.
(5) A description of efforts to design, support, and 
implement activities in response to the needs of international 
Indigenous peoples and in furtherance of United States 
diplomatic and peacemaking initiatives.
(6) A description of data collection efforts conducted 
under programs authorized by this Act or the amendments made by 
this Act.
(7) A description of any significant efforts by bilateral 
or multilateral donors in support of international Indigenous 
peoples.
(8) An identification of all contractors, subcontractors, 
grantees, and subgrantees receiving United States funds for 
programs supporting international Indigenous peoples.
(9) Recommendations related to best practices, effective 
strategies, and suggested improvements to enhance the impact of 
efforts to support international Indigenous peoples.
(10) A description of United States resources that are 
being used--
(A) to implement the strategy developed under 
section 3;
(B) to respond to needs of international Indigenous 
people;
(C) to promote equity and advance the status of 
international Indigenous people; and
(D) to encourage all parties to engage with and 
support the participation of international Indigenous 
peoples in decisions affecting their lands, cultures, 
and traditions, the allocation of natural resources, 
and the protection of the civil and political rights of 
such peoples.

SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of 
State an Advisory Commission on Indigenous Peoples (in this section 
referred to as the ``Advisory Commission'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) Appointment.--The Advisory Commission shall be composed 
of--
(A) the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs 
appointed pursuant to section 4(b), who shall serve as 
chair;
(B) 8 members appointed by the Secretary of State, 
from among individuals who are not officers or 
employees of the Federal Government;
(C) 3 members appointed by the President pro 
tempore of the Senate on the joint recommendation of 
the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate;
(D) 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives on the joint recommendation of the 
Majority and Minority Leaders of the House of 
Representatives; and
(E) 1 representative from each of--
(i) the National Congress of American 
Indians;
(ii) the Alaska Federation of Natives; and
(iii) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
(2) Selection.--The members of the Advisory Commission 
described in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of paragraph (1) 
shall be selected from among--
(A) academics representative of the various 
scholarly approaches to the history of the rights and 
resources of international Indigenous peoples;
(B) representatives of nongovernmental 
organizations and other institutions having the 
background, knowledge, and expertise related to 
diplomacy and engagements with international Indigenous 
peoples and domestic Indigenous peoples; and
(C) other distinguished individuals noted for their 
diverse background, knowledge, and expertise in the 
fields relevant to international Indigenous peoples, 
including foreign affairs, human rights, and 
international law.
(3) Time of appointment.--The appointments of the members 
described in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of paragraph (1) 
should be made not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
(4) Terms.--The term of each member appointed in accordance 
with paragraph (3) to the Advisory Commission shall be 3 years. 
Members shall be eligible for reappointment to a second term.
(c) Duties.--The Advisory Commission shall--
(1) annually make recommendations to the Secretary of State 
regarding best practices to promote diplomacy and engagements 
with international Indigenous peoples and the effective 
integration of such practices into the foreign policy of the 
United States, including assistance programming; and
(2) consult with members of the Federal Government, 
domestic and international Indigenous leaders, and with private 
groups and individuals with expertise on the promotion of 
diplomacy and engagements with international Indigenous 
peoples.
(d) Hearings.--In carrying out this section, the Advisory 
Commission may conduct such hearings, sit and at such times and places, 
take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Advisory 
Commission considers appropriate.
(e) Funding.--Members of the Advisory Commission shall be allowed 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence at rates 
authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
places of business in the performance of duties for the Advisory 
Commission.
(f) Report of the Advisory Commission.--Not later than April 1 of 
each year, the Advisory Commission shall submit to the President, the 
Secretary of State, and the appropriate congressional committees a 
report that sets forth its findings and recommendations for United 
States policy and programs.

SEC. 7. TRAINING FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS ON INTERNATIONAL 
INDIGENOUS DIPLOMACY AND ENGAGEMENT.

Section 708 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4028) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Indigenous Communities.--The Secretary of State, acting 
through the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs, shall establish, as 
part of the standard training provided for chiefs of mission, deputy 
chiefs of mission, and other officers of the Service prior to departure 
for posting outside the United States, training on the history and 
culture of the Indigenous communities that reside near the applicable 
posts of assignment, along with guidance on ways to engage with and 
provide direct support to individuals from those communities.''.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
(2) Coordinator.--The term ``Coordinator'' means the 
Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs appointed pursuant to 
section 4(b).
(3) Domestic indigenous peoples.--The term ``domestic 
Indigenous peoples'' means--
(A) Indians, as that term is defined in section 
4(d) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d));
(B) Native Hawaiians, as that term is defined in 
section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 7517);
(C) Alaska Natives, within the meaning provided for 
the term ``Native'' in section 3(b) of the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)); and
(D) Pacific Islanders, as such term is defined in 
section 815 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 
(42 U.S.C. 2992c).
(4) Indigenous peoples.--The term ``Indigenous peoples''--
(A) means distinct social and cultural groups that 
the Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs designates as 
such, taking into account relevant factors such as 
internationally recognized definitions of Indigenous 
Peoples, historical context, and sociological 
circumstances; and
(B) includes domestic Indigenous peoples and 
international Indigenous peoples.
(5) International indigenous peoples.--The term 
``international Indigenous peoples'' means the peoples 
indigenous to foreign countries or foreign territories.
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