As part of its comprehensive immigration reform bill, Congress should initiate true systemic change by taking proactive and progressive action that would serve to reverse the multi-generational cycle of ignorance that has been an affliction upon America for far too long. This affliction of ignorance is the consequence of America failing to educate its citizens, and those seeking American citizenship, about this land’s first people.

As the result of an educational and political system that has failed to provide an accurate and honest portrayal of America’s relationship with the indigenous people of this land, most American citizens have no awareness and understanding of the complexities and depth of this relationship. For those of us fighting to protect and promote our inherent sovereignty rights as nations and people, we encounter this reality on a daily basis. While this reality is pervasive across America, it is a deplorable and unacceptable reality that demands change. The current immigration reform effort provides an opportunity to stop this cycle of ignorance by requiring those pursuing the American dream to receive a proper education about the indigenous people of this land as part of the process to become an American citizen.

During President Obama’s second inaugural speech, he stated, “We (America) are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.” It is from this diversity that America draws its greatest strength. Further, it is the diversity drawn from the indigenous Nations of this land that shaped America’s beginnings and subsequent growth into the wealthiest and strongest Nation the world has ever known. Unfortunately, America has not been willing to reconcile its own past in a manner that arrives at an accurate and honest accounting of this historical and present day unique relationship with Indian country.