25 USC § 2902 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t25/s2902"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "25 USC § 2902 - Definitions"
title_number: 25
title_name: "INDIANS"
section_number: "2902"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 31
chapter_name: "NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2025-07-14"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 101–477, title I, § 103, Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1154; Pub. L. 104–109, § 11, Feb. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 107–110, title VII, § 702(f), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1947; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(iii), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2187.)"
---


# § 2902. Definitions

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.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 101–477, title I, § 103, Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1154; Pub. L. 104–109, § 11, Feb. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 107–110, title VII, § 702(f), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1947; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(iii), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2187.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Par. (2). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Par. (3). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

2002—Par. (2). , substituted “” for “”.

Par. (3). , substituted “” for “”.

1996—Par. (2). , substituted “” for “”.

Par. (3). , substituted “” for “”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as a note under , Education.

### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Education.