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Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73not60

§2902 Definitions

Title 25 › Chapter 31— NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES › § 2902

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines who is meant by "Native American" and other words used in the chapter. Native American: an Indian, a Native Hawaiian, or a Native American Pacific Islander. Indian and Native Hawaiian: meanings are in sections 7491(3) and 7517 of title 20. Native American Pacific Islander: a descendent of the aboriginal people of any U.S. Pacific island territory or possession. Indian tribe and tribal organization: meanings in section 5304 of this title. Native American language: the historical, traditional languages of Native peoples. Traditional leaders: Native people with special cultural or language expertise. Indian reservation: same meaning as "reservation" in section 1452 of this title.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §2902

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For purposes of this chapter—
(1)The term “Native American” means an Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander.
(2)The term “Indian” has the meaning given to such term under section 7491(3) of title 20.
(3)The term “Native Hawaiian” has the meaning given to such term by section 7517 of title 20.
(4)The term “Native American Pacific Islander” means any descendent of the aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is a territory or possession of the United States.
(5)The terms “Indian tribe” and “tribal organization” have the respective meaning given to each of such terms under section 5304 of this title.
(6)The term “Native American language” means the historical, traditional languages spoken by Native Americans.
(7)The term “traditional leaders” includes Native Americans who have special expertise in Native American culture and Native American languages.
(8)The term “Indian reservation” has the same meaning given to the term “reservation” under section 1452 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Par. (2). Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(iii)(1), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7491(3) of title 20. Par. (3). Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(iii)(2), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7517 of title 20. 2002—Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–110, § 702(f)(1), substituted “section 7491(3) of title 20” for “section 7881(4) of title 20”. Par. (3). Pub. L. 107–110, § 702(f)(2), substituted “section 7517 of title 20” for “section 7912(1) of title 20”. 1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–109, § 11(1), substituted “section 7881(4) of title 20” for “section 2651(4) of this title”. Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–109, § 11(2), substituted “section 7912(1) of title 20” for “section 4909 of title 20”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.

Effective Date

of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–110 effective Jan. 8, 2002, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 2902

Title 25 — Indians

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60