Welcome to FCNL’s Native American Legislative Update! NALU is a monthly newsletter about FCNL’s Native American policy advocacy and ways for you to engage members of Congress.

Halito F/friends!

My name is Rachel Overstreet. I am Choctaw and FCNL’s new legislative representative for Native American advocacy. I am glad to connect with you and continue FCNL’s invaluable work on Native issues.

I began my involvement with FCNL over three years ago, attending Spring Lobby Weekend. During that weekend, I had the opportunity to lobby on the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (introduced in this Congress as H.R. 7227/S.1723). After that, I continued working with FCNL as an Advocacy Corps organizer. In my new role leading our Native American advocacy, I look forward to carrying out the Quaker goals of integrity and justice by advancing truth and healing policies in Washington.

Truth and Healing Commission Bill Passes Committee

In a bipartisan vote on June 13, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) passed the House Education and Workforce Committee 34 to 4. This is a major win for Native American communities, survivors, and their descendants, who were terrorized by these policies for decades. The bill now needs to be approved by two other committees for a floor vote.

This legislation continues to be a top priority for FCNL as a step toward reconciliation with Native communities. Quakers, along with other Christian groups and the government, ran boarding schools to try to “educate” and “civilize” Native children. The federal government hoped to eradicate Native peoples and identities by assimilating us into mainstream white culture. This bill would create a commission with the power to investigate, document, and acknowledge the harms caused by Indian Boarding School policies.

The Senate version of the bill (S.1723) was heard over a year ago. Last week, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs leadership announced that they will release the bill for a full floor vote in the coming weeks.

House Allows RECA to Expire

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA, Public Law 101–426) expired earlier this month. This bill compensated people who were injured by exposure to federal government testing and development of nuclear weapons.

Native communities make up a disproportionate number of claimants. The Navajo Nation, located in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona, was the site of uranium mines that supported the development of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Since RECA has expired, no new claims will be processed after June 10, 2024. Unless Congress reauthorizes the legislation, victims of uranium mining and nuclear testing have no avenue for restitution.

“The Navajo Nation has given much in the interest of national defense,” Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said. “The United States must rectify the ongoing impact of these contributions on our people. We ask for the support of all who hear our call to help us in our fight for justice, for healing, and for the future health of our Nation.”

FCNL has signed a letter with 15 other faith groups, calling on Congress to renew RECA.

What We’re Reading

Rachel Overstreet headshot

Rachel Overstreet

Legislative Representative for Native American Advocacy

Rachel Overstreet (Choctaw Nation) is FCNL’s legislative representative for Native American Advocacy. She advocates for policies that honor tribal sovereignty, help Native communities succeed, and repair relationships between faith communities, the government, and Native people.

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