The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is once again ramping up its efforts for federal recognition, which has eluded it for decades. The tribe currently has over 50,000 members, and is recognized by the state, but has yet to cross the federal threshold.
This means no federal funds or services, something that the tribe’s Chairman, John Lowery, has previously lamented. Lowery told Spectrum News earlier this year that he is less than thrilled that the Lumbees “are missing out on those set asides.”
Despite the Lumbees’ previous efforts, no legislation has made it through Congress, but the Senate could potentially vote on the issue in the coming months. Lawmakers on both sides have shown support, but other tribes in the state, such as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have not.
The Eastern Band and Chairman Richard French are adamant that tribes should go through the Department of Interior to get recognized, as is custom, rather than appeal to Congress.
French told Spectrum News that there is “a policy in place, and we want that followed.” The Eastern Band is currently the only tribe in the state to achieve such recognition.
According to French, the precedent of Congress granting recognition is essentially a shortcut that shouldn’t be allowed, considering the stringent processes that they and others around the country have already been subject to from the Office of Federal Acknowledgement.
The Eastern Band also noted that Sen. Richard Burr is potentially stalling on other Indian affairs until the Lumbees are included. Burr didn’t confirm or deny that sentiment, but told Spectrum that he is “fully committed to their fight for full federal recognition.”
Federal recognition would allow the Lumbees to start the process of building and operating casinos—the Eastern Band currently operates two casinos in the state.
French said it’s not about the money, but rather about the validity of the process; “It has to do with sovereignty, sovereignty of all native tribes. Prove who you are and everything’s fine,” he said.
