March 2020 Announcement
Some great news! Two of our key bills were voted favorably out of committee in February. They are Prohibiting Native Mascots in MA (S.247 /H.443) and Changing the MA Flag and Seal (S.1877/H.2776).
However, we are still waiting for the bills to get to Ways and Means or another committee so that we can provide you with action alerts about what to do and whom to lobby next. We will post an action alert here as soon as there has been some movement.
S.1811/H.2948 An Act to protect Native American Heritage also moved successfully out of committee.
Unfortunately, the Indigenous Peoples Day bill H.3665 did not move out of the committee where it was heard, despite hundreds of your letters in support, hours of testimony, and lobbying of committee members. We thank you for all that you have done, and promise that we will get a new Indigenous Peoples Day bill introduced in January of 2021.
H.444 Improving Indigenous Educational Outcomes also failed to pass out of committee.
Please stay tuned to our MA Indigenous Legislative website and facebook page MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda for updates. Thank you for all your support!
Joint Committee on Education Chairs:
Sen. Jason Lewis: Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov
Rep. Alice Peisch: Alice.Peisch@mahouse.gov
More Details:
Bill Name: “An Act providing for the creation of a permanent commission relative to the education of American Indian and Alaska Native residents of the Commonwealth.”
House Number: H.444 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H444
Senate Number:
House Presenter: Nika C. Elugardo
House Co-Sponsors: Russell Holmes, Jason Lewis, Denise Provost, Bud Williams
Committee(s): Joint Committee on Education
Bill Description: Proposing a permanent commission towards improving educational outcomes and opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students. Broader impacts of the commission are the promotion of tribal self-determination by providing students with the opportunity to learn their heritage, languages and histories while preparing them for higher education.
Contact: Jean-Luc Pierite jeanlucpierite@gmail.com