Murkowski Bill to Stand Up for Native Youth Passes Senate Unanimously

Press Release

The United States Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) to create a Commission on Native American Children that would efficiently combine and coordinate the federal government's resources and expertise to best address the complicated threats and challenges facing Alaska Natives, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children will create a Commission on Native American Children to conduct a study into issues facing Native children--such as high rates of poverty and unemployment, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, substance abuse, and few economic opportunities. The commission will also make recommendations on how to ensure that Native children are better taken care of and given the opportunities to thrive.

The commission is named in honor of Dr. Walter Soboleff, revered Tlingit elder and champion for cultural education in Alaska, and Alyce Spotted Bear, former Chairwoman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.

"Walter Soboleff lived his life by a simple motto: Take care of the old person you are to become. But that must begin as early as possible, especially as Native youth face a culture of despair fed by poverty, crime, unemployment, substance abuse, and household violence. This complicated problem deserves a thorough review that brings to bear all the governments' agencies, influence and expertise," said Murkowski. "I am proud that the Commission bearing the name of Alaska legend and culture champion Walter Soboleff has been approved by my Senate colleagues to take a comprehensive look at all the factors and triggers in play -- from the vantage points of justice, education and healthcare -- to make informed policy suggestions to turn this cycle around."

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