Education
- Senator Kennedy (D-MA) gives notice of hearings of the Senate Subcommittee on Indian Education and submits Senator Mondale's statement from an earlier hearing held on October 1, 1968. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (February 17, 1969): 3540-3547.
- Senator Mondale sends to the desk Senate Resolution 226, giving the Indian Education Subcommittee, Committee on Labor and Public Welfare three more months to investigate problems of and evaluate the record of hearings on the education of American Indians. The measure is considered and agreed to. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (July 29, 1969) 21162-21163.
- Senator Kennedy: "It is my intention, along with the Senator from Minnesota, and also some friends across the aisle, to introduce an amendment which will restore the total funds which were cut back by the committee in the field of Indian education. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (September 22, 1969): 26531-26541. (smaller part of a broader bill)
- The final report of the Subcommittee on Indian Education, "Indian Education: A National Tragedy—a National Challenge," is submitted; Mondale describes his experience on the subcommittee: "Many times in the course of our investigation I have been shocked by the Neanderthal educational approaches used for Indian students and by the insensitivity of school personnel to students of a different culture. I hope this report can be a start in remedying some of the problems we saw in our investigation. After 400 years of failing the Indian, we do not have an easy task before us. But if we decide we want to, we can meet the challenge." 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (November 3, 1969): 32708-32716.
- Senator Kennedy (D-MA) submits Senator Mondale's remarks to the National Indian Education Conference in Minneapolis; Senator Kennedy says, "I might say that as we worked to write that report, no one member of the subcommittee worked harder or with greater understanding than did my good friend from Minnesota. He carried much of the burden and deserves a large share of the credit." 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (December 2, 1969): 36353.
- Senator Harris (D-OK) calls Senator Mondale's speech to the Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity statewide convention "highly knowledgeable, challenging, and inspirational;" includes text of Senator Mondale's speech. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (April 8, 1970): 10813-10814.
- Senator Mondale discusses two programs in Minnesota to lower the Indian dropout rate and submits a summary of the programs by the Minnesota Department of Education. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 19, 1970): 16064-16065.
- Senator Mondale argues for two amendments he is cosponsoring that would appropriate funds for an urban Indian health program and programs to improve education for American Indians.; includes Mondale's testimony before the Appropriations Committee on Indian health matters and his argument to develop culturally sensitive materials in Indian schools. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 1, 1970): 22430-22461. (Mondale at 22443 and 22451)
- Senator Mondale commends President Nixon for agreeing with the recommendations of the Senate Indian Education Subcommittee to increase spending on Indian health and education: "I am hopeful that now, with the President's stated support, we can begin making some serious headway." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 9, 1970): 23417-23418.
- Senator Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Mondale introduce S. 4388, the Indian Education Act; Senator Mondale cosponsors the bill and explains why it is necessary: "The statistics are appalling. But one can become immune to statistics. One cannot become immune, though, to the stories of Indian schoolchildren being disciplined with handcuffs, of school counselors "counseling" students with jail referral slips, of teachers punishing Indian students for speaking their native languages, of teenagers committing suicide in order to escape the life they dread. . . . This bill is unique in two respects. First, it is an expression of the wishes of many Indian people. . . . We heard from Indians throughout the country. We have taken their suggestions and put them together into this bill we are introducing today. This bill is also unique among Federal education legislation. It is not an attempt, for example, simply to provide some funds and set up some new administrative machinery to do more of what has been done in the past. It is an attempt rather to change the very nature of what has historically passed for Indian education." The bill is referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (September 23, 1970): 33420-33429. (Mondale at 33427)
- Senator Kennedy (D-MA) introduces Amendment No. 6 to S. 659 (introduced in February by Senator Pell, D-RI), addressing the problems and challenges of Indian education; Senator Mondale is a cosponsor and says of the amendment, "we must begin with an education that entails, first of all, a respect for different languages and cultures, and accepts them for the value they still have for Indian children. I do not think there is any chapter in our history more sordid than our treatment of the American Indian. This legislation is an important and meaningful step to do something about that situation." After being passed by the House and the Senate, the House insists on its amendments and asks for a conference. The bill is then referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (February 25, 1971): 3944-3958. (Mondale at 3954)
- Senator Kennedy introduces S. 2482, The Indian Education Act, establishing three new programs for the improvement of Indian education; Senator Mondale says, "The history of Indian people in this country is a record filled with injustice. But no injustice is more apparent—or more devastating—than our failure to provide educational opportunities to Indian children." The bill passes the Senate and is referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (October 8, 1971): 35638-35658. (Mondale at 35646-35647)
- The Indian Education Act is signed into law, June 23, 1972. The Act establishes the Office of Indian Education and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (June 23, 1972)
Land and funds restoration
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2912, declaring that certain federally owned land is held by the United States in trust for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. The bill passes the Senate and is indefinitely postponed. An identical bill, H.R. 10431, is passed in lieu. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (February 10, 1966): 2913.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3781, providing for the distribution of funds appropriated to pay the Mississippi Band and Pillager and Lake Winnibigoshish Bands of Chippewa Indians: "This legislation will at last permit payment of a debt which is 111 years old." The bill is referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 29, 1966): 21037.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 1830, a bill restoring about 28,700 acres of submarginal lands of the United States to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. The bill is referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (May 23, 1967): 13460, 13463-13464.
- Senator Mondale reintroduces legislation he introduced May 23, 1967; S. 1710 restores approximately 28,700 acres to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. The bill is referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (March 27, 1969): 7960.
- Includes a lengthy debate on H.R. 471 (reported in November from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs), the Pueblo De Taos Indians Cultural and Ceremonial Shrine Protection Act of 1970; Mondale gives his reasons for supporting H.R. 471: "I intend to vote with the Senator from Oklahoma [Senator Harris] on his proposal, for these reasons: First, I think more is being given by way of property rights; second, this is what those most directly concerned, the Indians, want, and as the Senator from Arizona has pointed out, we are simply restoring some of that which we took from them-without compensation, I assume-years ago . . . ."; the Senate passes the bill and it becomes Public Law 91-550. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (December 2, 1970): 39586-39610. (Mondale at 39598)
- Senator Mondale voices his support for S. 1217 (introduced by Senator Jackson (D-WA) and reported in July from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs), which restores about 28,700 acres of submarginal lands of the United States to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. The bill passes the Senate and is referred to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (August 1, 1972): 26252-26254. (Mondale at 26253)
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2913 (a bill identical to S. 1830—90th Congress, S. 1710—91st Congress, and S. 1217—92nd Congress), restoring about 28,700 acres of submarginal lands of the United States to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. The bill is referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (January 29, 1974): 1049.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 423 (a bill identical to S. 1830—90th Congress, S. 1710—91st Congress, S. 1217—92nd Congress, and S. 2913—93rd Congress), restoring about 28,700 acres of submarginal lands of the United States to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. The bill is referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (January 27, 1975): 1349.
- Senator Mondale cosponsors S. 1327 (introduced in March by Senator Abourezk, D-SD), declaring certain submarginal land of the United States be held in trust for certain Indian tribes and be made part of their reservations. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (March 26, 1975): 8681.
- S. 1327 is passed by the Senate. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (September 19, 1975): 29459-29460.
- S. 1327 is passed by the House, in lieu of H.R. 5778. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (October 6, 1975): 31849-31852.
- S. 1327 is approved, granting lands to certain Indian tribes, including the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. It becomes Public Law 94-114. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (October 20, 1975): 33065.
Quality of life issues
- Senator Mondale speaks in favor of S. 1648, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (introduced in April by Senator Douglas, D-IL and reported in May from the Committee on Public Works), expressing satisfaction that the bill provides assistance to Indians on reservations living in substandard conditions. The bill passes the Senate and the House and becomes Public Law 89-136. 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (June 1, 1965): 12168-12169.
- Senator Harris (D-OK) submits Mondale's remarks at the ground-breaking ceremony for public housing on Leach Lake Reservation; Senator Harris says, "This occasion was truly a break-through. It marked the first public housing to be built on any of Minnesota's reservations. And for that, Senator Mondale ought well to be proud. For there has been no harder worker for the Indian than the junior Senator from Minnesota. His persistent efforts have made public housing for Indians possible in Minnesota." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (July 28, 1966): 17431-17432.
- Senator Mondale praises the work of Senator Harris (D-OK) on behalf of American Indians and outlines his own attempts at procuring housing and programs for American Indians in Minnesota. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (April 21, 1966): 8715-8721. (Mondale at 8720)
- Senator Mondale introduces three bills, S. 1571, S. 1573, and S. 1574 that benefit and empower the American Indian community. All three bills are referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (April 19, 1971): 10671.
- Senator Metcalf (D-MT) introduces S. 437, providing for federal reimbursement for the cost of all welfare programs for American Indians, Aleuts, Native Hawaiians and other aboriginal persons. Senator Mondale states: "The Federal Government has a unique responsibility toward the American Indian and toward the state in which the Indian lives. To a large extent as a result of Federal policies and actions, Indians have been forced to live in economically deprived situations. Many are trapped by their environment, into a pattern of repeated economic failure.... Since our national policies have contributed so heavily to the economic segregation, I believe the Federal Government has an obligation to eradicate the effects of the segregation." The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (January 28, 1975): 1509-1512. (Mondale at 1511)
- Senator Mondale announces the 500th birthday celebration of the Chippewa Band of Indians at Red Lake. 94th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (July 2, 1976): 22210-22211.
Speeches & Publications Submitted
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles from the Minneapolis Tribune on the problems Indians face on the reservation and in the cities. He claims that "there is probably no more deprived or forgotten group than our Indians." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 25, 1966): 20580-20588.
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles from the Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN) that describe the successful efforts of a Citizen's Action Council to rehabilitate and build dozens of homes for the residents of the Prairie Island Sioux settlement. 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (January 31, 1968): 1719-1720.
- Senator Mondale praises the Rough Rock Demonstration School on the Navajo Reservation: "It is difficult to overestimate the importance of what has occurred at Rough Rock;" he submits Senator Kennedy's speech to Rough Rock's first graduates as well as a story from the school's paper and a brochure describing the school. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (June 18, 1969): 16399-16401.
- Congressman Donald M. Fraser (D-MN) submits an article from the Twin Citian magazine that describes Senator Mondale's visit to Indian schools in the Southwest. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (August 7, 1969): 22983-22985.
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles from the Anchorage Daily News that detail the efforts of Alaskan natives to secure final rights to their ancestral lands. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (November 26, 1969): 35910-35913.
- Senator Mondale submits the results of a poll conducted by the Minneapolis Star and Tribune that shows nearly half of the people sampled believe the American Indian is treated unfairly. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (March 9, 1970): 6504-6505.
- Senator Harris (D-OK) submits a letter that urges the Indian Affairs Subcommittee to take action that would return the 48,000-acre Blue Lake watershed in New Mexico to the Taos Pueblo Indians; Senator Mondale is a coauthor of the letter. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (April 15, 1970): 11857-11858.
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles from the Minneapolis Tribune that discuss the history of the relationship between Indians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs: "The more widespread the dissemination of articles like these, the better understanding people will have of the problems the Indian faces today and the reasons why Indians feel as they do about the Bureau of Indian Affairs." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (June 11, 1970): 19530-19534.
- Senator Mondale submits an article by Senator Kennedy (D-MA), "Let the Indians Run Indian Policy." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 9, 1970): 23412-23413.
- Senator Mondale submits a Minneapolis Tribune editorial discussing a university survey that uncovered negative stereotypes of American Indians among school-age children. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 23, 1970): 25549-25550.
- Senator Mondale submits an editorial from The Forum which analyzes President Nixon's statement on Indian Affairs. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (August 21, 1970): 29708-29709.
- Senator Mondale submits a press release of the statement on national priorities issued by the Second National Indian Education Conference. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (October 13, 1970): 36425.
- Senator Mondale submits an article from The Washington Post about frustrations experienced by American Indians trying to take advantage of President Nixon's Indian policy on education; the article states that the Indians "have discovered what any seasoned Washington lobbyist could have told them—that the President makes the grand declarations of government policy, but he is not there when bureaucrats draft the regulations or negotiate the contracts or keep the project proposals shuffling back and forth from one office to another." 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (November 30, 1971): 43567-43568.
- Senator Mondale submits a statement by Senator McGee (D-WY) and a letter to President Nixon signed by himself and 14 others protesting planned cuts to Indian programs by the administration. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (October 17, 1972): 36889-36890.
- Senator Mondale submits a letter from a Minneapolis School District official that describes the impact of the Indian Education Act. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (July 29, 1974): 25430-25431.