21.0872.06000
Sixty-seventh
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1488
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Buffalo, Dobervich, Schneider
Senators Marcellais, Mathern
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 14-02.4 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to the creation of the truth, healing, and reconciliation commission; to
3 provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an expiration date.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
5 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 14-02.4 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
6 and enacted as follows:
7 Truth, healing, and reconciliation commission - Report to the legislative
8 management.
9 1. There is established a five-member truth, healing, and reconciliation commission. An
10 advisory council comprised of five members of each of the tribal nations in the state, a
11 liaison with the state historical society, and one neutral member preferably a tribal
12 elder, shall appoint the five members of the commission selected from applications
13 received by the advisory council.
14 2. The commission shall:
15 a. Hire a director to coordinate testimony, recordings of testimony, and meetings of
16 the commission.
17 b. Appoint one man and one woman to serve as spiritual advisors to the
18 commission.
19 c. Examine and investigate records; receive testimony and provide a forum for
20 indigenous victims and families to discuss the personal impacts of physical,
21 psychological, and spiritual violence; and document the adversarial historical
22 relationship between the state and North Dakota Native Americans to clarify the
23 historical record of the state-tribal relationship in the spirit of truth, healing, and
24 reconciliation.
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1 d. Study the impact and ongoing effects of historical and intergenerational trauma in
2 tribal communities.
3 e. Collaborate and consult respectfully with tribal nations in the state, including
4 traveling to each of the tribal nations to receive testimony from tribal members,
5 members of the public, and key stakeholders.
6 f. Submit an annual report of the commission's findings and recommendations to
7 the governor and the legislative management. The recommendations must
8 include proposed methods to address truth and reconciliation in the interest of
9 healing historical conflicts and legacies of distrust and to address historical and
10 intergenerational trauma.
11 g. Submit a final written report of the commission's findings and recommendations
12 regarding the historical relationship between the state and North Dakota Native
13 Americans to the legislative management on or before January 1, 2025, and
14 travel to each of the tribal nations to present the final report.
15 h. Conduct and coordinate an annual peace summit at the International Peace
16 Garden to foster healing and understanding for present and future generations.
17 SECTION 2. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act is effective through August 1, 2025, and after
18 that date is ineffective.
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