(1) recognizes the
special legal and political relationship the Indian tribes have with
the United States and the solemn covenant with the land we share;
(2) commends and honors the Native Peoples for the thousands of years
that they have stewarded and protected this land;
(3) acknowledges years of official depredations, ill-conceived
policies, and the breaking of covenants by the United States Government
regarding Indian tribes;
(4) apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all
Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and
neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by citizens of the United States;
(5) expresses its regret for the ramifications of former offenses and
its commitment to build on the positive relationships of the past and
present to move toward a brighter future where all the people of this
land live reconciled as brothers and sisters, and harmoniously steward
and protect this land together;
(6) urges the President to acknowledge the offenses of the United
States against Indian tribes in the history of the United States in
order to bring healing to this land by providing a proper foundation
for reconciliation between the United States and Indian tribes; and
(7) commends the State governments that have begun reconciliation
efforts with recognized Indian tribes located in their boundaries and
encourages all State governments similarly to work toward reconciling
relationships with Indian tribes within their boundaries.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled in 2005.
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