The Act repudiates past policies of prohibiting and eradicating Indian languages and declares that Natives are entitled to their own languages. The Act “declares to preserve, protect and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use practice and develop Native American Languages … [and to] fully recognize the right of Indian Tribes and other Native American governing bodies, States, territories, and possessions of the United States to take action on, and give official status to their Native American languages for the purpose of conducting their own business.”