RESPECT Act passes and strikes multiple federal laws, including ones which created "Indian reform schools"

(Washington, D.C) -- Eleven different laws that refer and discriminate against Native Americans are now officially no longer on federal books following the passage of a law.

The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act outlaws 11 laws referring to and discriminated against Native Americans. The list of once used laws included ones that placed children into "Indian Reform Schools", punishments for not sending children to said schools, and the "abrogation", or repeal of, treaties of any tribal organization under a presidential proclamation. The RESPECT Act is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). 

“I’m grateful the RESPECT Act is now law. While these outdated laws were not being enforced, it’s right to officially strike them. This bill recognizes a devastating period in our history – one never to be repeated – and my hope is it will help heal wounds inflicted in the past as we focus on cultivating cooperative government-to-government relationships for the future,” said Senator Cramer (R- ND), who is a co-sponsor of the law, in a statement to WDAY Radio. 

A list of laws repealed by the RESPECT Act can be found by clicking here.