Title
THE DURBIN FEELING LANGUAGE PRESERVATION ACT
Body
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION:
Section 1. Title and Codification
This legislative act shall be titled and codified in Title 31, Chapter 5 of the Cherokee Nation Code Annotated as the “Durbin Feeling Cherokee Language Preservation Act.”
Section 2. Findings
The Council of the Cherokee Nation finds that a crisis exists within the Cherokee Nation with respect to language preservation. More specifically, the Council finds that there exists only approximately 2000 first language Cherokee speakers. The Council further finds that Cherokee Nation’s language preservation programs are effective but lack sufficient resources to preserve the Cherokee language.
Section 3. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to a) authorize capital funding and increased operating funding for Cherokee language programs beginning in fiscal year 2020, b) authorize the Principal Chief to name the proposed language center the “Durbin Feeling Language Center” and c) create the cabinet office of Secretary of Language, Culture and Community.
Section 4. Substantive Provisions
§ 1. Amounts Authorized.
A. Capital funding shall not exceed $5 million for fiscal year 2020, with unexpended funds carried over until the completion of the facility set forth below. The capital funding will expand and renovate the existing building and site located at 16489 US HWY 62, Tahlequah, OK 74464
B. Operational funds shall be no less than $1.5 million in excess of fiscal year 2020 Comprehensive Budget Act appropriations for language programs, with such authorization expiring September 30, 2024, unless specially reauthorized by act of the Council of the Cherokee Nation. Said funds may be used to expand the Cherokee Master Apprentice Language Program and create or expand such other language programs to effectuate the purposes and policies of this Act.
C. The funding source is dividends received from those governmental revenue entities in whic...
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