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SENATE MEMORIAL 9
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Shannon D. Pinto
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE
CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
CONTINUING AND IMPROVING THE 520 NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND
CULTURAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the state recognizes the importance of
maintaining and promoting Native American languages and
cultures as integral components of education and community
identity; and
WHEREAS, systemic inequities, coupled with cultural and
linguistic barriers, contribute to the loss of cultural
identity among Native American students; and
WHEREAS, research indicates that learning one's ancestral
language fosters cognitive development, strengthens academic
performance and enhances overall well-being by reinforcing
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cultural identity and community connections; and
WHEREAS, Section 22-10A-13 NMSA 1978 established the
Native American language and culture certificates, allowing the
public education department to issue certificates to
individuals proficient in a Native American language and
culture of a New Mexico Indian nation, tribe or pueblo based on
criteria established through a memorandum of agreement between
the tribal governments and the public education department; and
WHEREAS, this certification recognizes tribal sovereignty
and the importance of traditional knowledge and values the
linguistic proficiency 520 Native American language and culture
teachers gain outside of conventional academic pathways; and
WHEREAS, from 2003 to 2014, sixteen Indian nations, tribes
and pueblos have entered into a memorandum of agreement with
the public education department granting authority to certify
their representatives as 520 Native American language and
culture teachers, ensuring that tribal sovereignty and
expertise guide the certification process; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, the legislature amended Section
22-10A-13 NMSA 1978 to establish salary parity between 520-
certified Native American language and culture instructors and
level 1 licensed teachers, acknowledging the significance of
their instructional roles and ensuring equitable compensation;
and
WHEREAS, the public education department's Indian
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education division awarded one million three hundred twenty-
five thousand dollars ($1,325,000) in fiscal year 2025 to
support 520 Native American language and culture certificates;
and
WHEREAS, according to the public education department's
2023-2024 tribal education status report, there were one
hundred thirty-three active 520-certified Native American
language and culture instructors, and ninety-nine students
earned state seals of bilingualism-biliteracy awards for
indigenous languages; and
WHEREAS, challenges remain regarding the organizational
structure, certification process, salary implementation,
pathways for advancement and integration into the broader
bilingual and multicultural education system, and a
comprehensive review of the 520 certification framework is
necessary;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE
OF NEW MEXICO that this legislative body hereby acknowledge the
significance of 520-certified Native American language and
culture instructors and request the legislative education study
committee to convene a working group to study and make
recommendations concerning the 520 Native American language and
culture certificates, including the organizational structure
and accountability, advancement and professional development,
data collection and transparency and a long-term strategy for
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system improvement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested
to include representatives from the Indian education division
and the licensure bureau of the public education department,
school districts and charter schools specializing in Native
American language and culture education, organizations focused
on 520 certification or bilingual teacher certification,
including those providing professional development and
training, bilingual and multicultural education programs,
higher education institutions, technical assistance centers and
520-certified educators; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested
to present its findings and recommendations to the legislative
education study committee, the legislature and the Indian
education division of the public education department no later
than December 31, 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the secretary of public education, the assistant
secretary of Indian education of the public education
department, the director of the legislative education study
committee and the respective governing bodies of each New
Mexico Indian nation, tribe and pueblo.
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