Date: October 26, 2020

From: Tushkahumoc Xelup

Basija, Maipuri Nation
Director General
National Association for the Advancement of Indigenous Peoples

To: U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris

U.S. Congress
Washington, DC 20500, District of Columbia, America

RE: American Aborigine History Curriculum, Sustainable Indigenous Cultural Education

Halito chim achukma Honorable Kamala Harris, we appreciate your acceptance of this
communication.

I am Tushkahumoc Xelup, Basija, Maipuri Arauan nation, and Director General, Ambassador,
National Director for the National Association for the Advancement of Indigenous People (NAAIP)
in the Americas. It is a great opportunity and a rare occasion to address you, as a descendant of
Maipuri ancestors, you are in a unique position and we hold you in high esteem.

It has been wonderfully promising to watch you share views of reweaving America, it is long
awaited, and we thank you. We also thank you in advance for moving forward with the many
agendas concerning indigenous people in America, especially education.
Your participation and efforts towards education related to indigenous people is long awaited, and
your position in the White House is long awaited as well; you are honored in our prayers.
The establishment of open and legal recognition and rights of the AMERICAN ABORIGINE over
the past twenty years is still waiting for policy direction. As we enter a new age of information and
access, we can no longer take a sideward glance at realistic and well documented American
aborigine history. Inasmuch, we realize, that any legal recognition can only be accomplished
through comprehensive historical and cultural education of Americans, in America.
The efforts to engage in the actual history of the American diaspora has been hindered for many
reasons, by many educators and historical archivist over the past two hundred years, guided by strict
U.S. policy.
In the recent months due to social turmoil, education restructuring, and Covid-19, America is in the
midst of many new policy developments. We believe it is time to provide access to research, accept
that research and reveal the joyous reawakening to American aborigine culture and history; it is
time to provide the curriculum within America’ education system.
The social climate around the world shows that America can influence world policy, including
policies related to the protected interests of the indigenous peoples. We must take lead, with historic
steps to preserve actual history in America, which includes many diverse cultures existing in pre-
Columbian era America. The forefront of social change cannot forsake the immense value that
educating our students and families about the history and realities of America’ aborigine
inhabitants.
The recent endeavors concerning “sustainable indigenous education” is presented by the indigenous
Maori Hapu State of New Zealand and NAAIP. The two institutions recently entered into a pact of
cultural exchange and signed an “Official Treaty of Friendship” recognizing the Maipuri aborigine
of North America. In addition, both nations support essential national legislation to support the
position of the United Nations ICCPR convention, which requires participation in the protection of
the rights mandated by the Convention.
American society was built on misconception of actual historical events and most mentions of
American history are relegated to an era not before 1700 AD. We cannot ignore the classroom
benefit nor fear the societal impact which classroom discussions about American aborigine culture
and history would have.
Many educators may struggle with the entire concept of American aborigine history curriculum,
but it is vital to understand why we must begin the process of introducing an identity and a history
that is totally integrated into U.S. and American history.
We must begin to bridge the gaps in American history.
Your support is immeasurable.

Tushkahumoc Xelup
Director General, NAAIP
Basija, Maipuri Nation