SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has released a draft legislative package intended to improve the lives of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. The proposed legislation is based on recommendations from "The Way Forward," a report published in February 2024 by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children.

The commission was created through bipartisan legislation led by Senator Murkowski and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp. Its work included hearings and site visits to gather information about the challenges faced by Native children and families. The resulting report provided guidance for service delivery, data collection, and culturally relevant programming.

“This discussion draft is an important step in turning the recommendations of the Commission on Native Children into action to support our Native children, youth, and families. I’m proud to put forward a draft legislative package with the opportunity for further collaboration with stakeholders. I look forward to hearing from Tribal leaders, advocates, and non-profits supporting Native families as we work to improve policies that directly impact their communities,” said Senator Murkowski.

The draft bill covers topics such as child welfare, justice systems, health care (including physical, behavioral, and environmental health), housing issues like homelessness, education opportunities, child care services, and efforts to enhance research and data collection related to these areas.

Senator Murkowski is seeking public feedback on the discussion draft until September 12, 2025. Comments can be submitted via email at Murkowski_Outreach@Indian.Senate.Gov.

The commission’s creation followed testimony at the 2013 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention from young people in Tanana who spoke about violence and substance abuse in their communities. This prompted Senators Murkowski and Heitkamp to propose forming a commission dedicated to studying these issues among Native populations. The commission was named after Dr. Walter Soboleff—a Tlingit elder—and Alyce Spotted Bear—former Chairwoman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation—in recognition of their contributions to cultural education and leadership.

Since its establishment in 2016 through federal legislation signed into law that year, the commission has conducted studies across federal, Tribal, state, and local programs serving Native children. Its findings have influenced policy discussions aimed at improving outcomes for these populations.

A summary of the proposed legislation is available online along with access to the full discussion draft.